CZECH PRESIDENCY OF THE COUNCIL KICKS OFF
The Czech Republic officially took the reins of the Presidency of the Council of the EU on 1st July. The Presidency’s motto “Europe as a Task: Rethink, Rebuild, Repower” will drive the agenda of the Czech government at EU level for the next six months as also detailed in the Presidency’s work programme.
In the field of transport, the priority of the Presidency will be to reach a general approach on the revised guidelines for the development of the TEN-T network. The Presidency notes that the revision of the Regulation represents an opportunity to further develop road, but also rail and water infrastructure, which are necessary for decarbonising transport, and to further enhance multimodality. The Presidency will also seek to reach agreements with the Parliament on the transport-related files of the Fit for 55 Package, namely the AFIR proposal, RefuelEU Aviation and FuelEU Maritime. Brno will host the Urban Mobility Days on 20-22 September, and an informal meeting of transport ministers is scheduled to take place in Prague on 20-21 October, where ministers will adopt Council conclusions on NAIADES III to promote inland waterway transport in Europe. On climate action, the Czech Presidency will start the trilogues on the revision of the ETS and the CO2 standards for new cars and vans.
The Czech Presidency will focus the work of the Economic affairs Council on the revision of the Energy Taxation Directive. It will continue negotiating the CBAM proposal in order to reach a political agreement with the Parliament reflects the emphasis on compatibility with rules of the World Trade Organization (WTO). In the customs area, the Council will start working on a proposal for the reform of the Customs Union that will be presented in the form of a legislative package which will be based on the interim evaluation of the implementation of the Union Customs Code.
Source: Czech Presidency of the Council