TRAN MEPS EXCHANGE VIEWS WITH CYPRIOT PRESIDENCY
On 27 January, the Transport and Tourism (TRAN) Committee of the European Parliament held an exchange of views with the Cypriot Minister of Transport, Mr Alexis Vafeades, and Deputy Minister of Shipping, Ms Marina Hadjimanolis, on the priorities of the Cypriot Presidency of the Council.
Minister Vafeades outlined the Presidency’s intention to advance work on several key transport files, including the Automotive Package, which he confirmed as a high priority. On the proposal on greening corporate fleets, the Minister noted that work at Council working group level has already started, but that it is still too early to draw detailed conclusions. Minister Vafeades also highlighted the significant investment needs in EU transport infrastructure and stressed the importance of exploring ways to mobilise private investment to support Europe’s transport objectives.
In the maritime domain, Deputy Minister Hadjimanolis emphasised the importance of the forthcoming EU Ports Strategy, underlining the strategic role of the maritime sector for the European economy and for strengthening Europe’s strategic autonomy. Shealso addressed the EU’s positioning within the International Maritime Organization (IMO). She underlined that the Cypriot Presidency is committed to strengthening the EU’s influence within the IMO, stressing that this requires Member States to act in a coordinated and unified manner. “Europe must act with clarity, unity and ambition,” she stated. These remarks follow recent tensions after Cyprus and Greece abstained during an IMO vote in October on binding targets to reduce the carbon intensity of marine fuels, which has exposed divisions within the EU and prompted the Commission to call for renewed unity ahead of upcoming IMO negotiations on maritime decarbonisation.
MEPs welcomed the exchange and stressed that the automotive package should remain a central priority of the Presidency, given its implications for the transport sector and industrial competitiveness. Questions were also raised on intermodality and the future of the Combined Transport Directive, with MEPs referring to efforts by TRAN to oppose its possible withdrawal and seeking clarity on how the Presidency intends to proceed. Concerns were further expressed regarding the potential administrative burden of the proposal on greening corporate fleets, as well as the urgency of revising CO₂ targets for cars and vans.
The recording of the exchange can be accessed here.