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On 19 February, Transport Commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas engaged in a structured dialogue with the European Parliament’s Transport and Tourism (TRAN) Committee to discuss the European Commission’s 2025 Work Programme and key policy initiatives in the transport sector. The exchange covered a range of legislative and strategic plans aimed at advancing sustainable, efficient, and resilient transport infrastructure across the EU.

Commissioner Tzitzikostas outlined the Commission’s primary transport-related priorities for the coming years. Among the most significant is the Sustainable Transport Investment Plan (STIP), which aims to accelerate the decarbonisation of transport through targeted investments in alternative fuel production, recharging and refuelling infrastructure. This plan is expected to be introduced after the summer. The Commissioner also confirmed that the Action Plan for the Automotive Industry will be presented on 5 March, informed by ongoing discussions within the automotive dialogue. This action plan will seek to provide support to the automotive sector in all its components, including heavy-duty vehicles, as urged by Members of the European Parliament.

Commissioner Tzitzikostas announced that by the end of 2025, the Commission will present both a Maritime Industrial Strategy and a European Port Strategy to strengthen the competitiveness and sustainability of Europe’s ports and maritime transport.

The Commissioner informed MEPs that discussions on the revision of the Weights and Dimensions Directive will resume under the Polish Presidency, which aims to reach a General Approach at the Transport Council in June. He also mentioned the ongoing work on a proposal for the greening of corporate fleets but noted that it was too early to discuss it. Commissioner Tzitzikostas argued the need for a “balanced” approach that considers the diverse conditions of company fleets and avoids imposing unnecessary burdens on SMEs.

During the exchange, MEPs raised a wide range of issues, seeking clarification on various initiatives. Some of the key topics discussed included support for SMEs in the transport and tourism sectors, particularly in navigating the energy transition and regulatory challenges. Questions on public transport and working conditions were raised, with inquiries into how the Commission will address employment standards in the sector. The need for increased EU investment in cross-border transport infrastructure was highlighted, with MEPs stressing the importance of funding for military mobility. The Commissioner confirmed that €70 billion is required for military mobility, as estimated by DG MOVE, and called for swift approval of the delegated act concerning ship reporting systems, a critical tool for monitoring the Russian shadow fleet, especially in the Baltic Sea. Rail Baltica and high-speed rail expansion were also discussed, with MEPs emphasizing the importance of maintaining sufficient funding for the Connecting Europe Facility in the upcoming Multiannual Financial Framework negotiations. The Commissioner assured MEPs that the Commission remains committed to securing adequate financial resources for key infrastructure projects, particularly in rail, maritime, and road transport, to ensure a more sustainable and competitive European transport sector.

Source: European Parliament