Ministry of Transport, Information Technology and Communications

Bulgaria took over the presidency of the Euro Controle Route (ECR) from Ireland for a period of one year from 2013 to 2014. This became clear during yet another meeting of the organisation’s Steering Committee held in Dublin, Ireland on 17th and 18th June, 2013. This was the second assembly chaired by Ireland and involved the heads of various competent authorities of the ECR’s Member States.

During November 2013 and July 2014 Bulgaria will host the Steering Committee’s meetings alongside the monthly assembly of the ECR’s Executive Committee, currently held in Brussels. At these meetings, important issues related to the improvement of control activities, exchange of information, and practices aimed at improving safety and security on European roads, as well as achieving greater harmonization of Member States’ road transport legislation are discussed. 

At the forum in Ireland, a conference on “Efficient and effective traffic control in times of financial crisis” was held. The challenges before EU Member States during the periods of financial hardship and the exchange of information on good practices in conducting roadside control were discussed.

This is the first conference of its kind within the organisation and the Bulgarian authorities made a commitment to host a second conference and to define the topical issues for discussion.

Euro Controle Route is established by an Administrative Agreement in 1999 between four countries (Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg and France). Currently, the organization members 13 countries (Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, France, Germany, Ireland, England, Poland, Austria, Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary, Latvia) and 4 observer states (Slovenia, the Czech Republic, Lithuania, Malta). After joining the EU, Bulgaria became an active member of the ECR.

Euro Controle Route is an organisation where member states’ control authorities co-operate to improve road safety, compliance with traffic regulations and promote fair competition in the road transport sector. The overall objective is to harmonize inspection practices in the participating countries through consultation, co-operation and joint initiatives.

For more information on the Euro Controle Route conference, visit: http://www.euro-controle-route.eu/site/en/conference/