SWEDISH PRESIDENCY OF THE COUNCIL KICKS OFF ON 1st JANUARY
Sweden, taking over the reins of the Presidency of the Council of the EU, has presented its main priorities for the next six months, in the Presidency’s work programme.
Putting in place the regulatory framework required to achieve the EU climate targets and reduce EU greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55 per cent by 2030 is a priority. The Presidency therefore intends to focus on trilogues on transport legislation within the Fit for 55 Package. In the field of environment, the Presidency will prioritise moving the negotiations on any remaining parts of the Fit for 55 Package forward in the Environment Council, highlighting that the review of the CO2 emissions standards for new heavy-duty vehicles “will provide an important framework for accelerating the transition of the transport sector.’’
The further development of the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) is an important aspect in terms of sustainably and efficiently strengthening and modernising Europe’s transport infrastructure. The Presidency therefore intends to advance the TEN-T negotiations and, if necessary, take forward the work on revising the Intelligent Transport Systems Directive. This is an important step in promoting connected and automated mobility in road and other modes of transport. Negotiations on the revision of the Single European Sky rules will also continue.
The Commission is expected to present a number of proposals on road, rail and intermodal transport in the first half of 2023, including a revision of the Directive on driving licences and a package for green freight transport. The Presidency intends to initiate negotiations in the Council on a number of these proposals.