Ministry of Transport, Information Technology and Communications

The protection of unity and growth of the internal market of the European Union as well as the establishment of a single European transport area should remain our common goals, said the Minister of Transport, Information Technology and Communications Ivaylo Moskovski during today's meeting of the EU Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Counsil in Luxembourg.

Minister Ivaylo Moskovski expressed the concerns of the Bulgarian side regarding the application of the German Minimum wage act the forthcoming introduction of the French Loi Macron, which will affect both Bulgarian and foreign hauliers crossing the territories of the two states. In his intervention he stressed that the introduction of a requirement for a minimum wage for foreign hauliers does not comply with the social standards in particular Member States. The Minister said also that the introduction of restrictions on the use of the normal weekly rest in the cabin of the vehicle is impracticable and constitutes an unilateral barrier to cross-border road transport.

In his words, these measures will lead to increase of the administrative and the financial burden of the transport sector, thus reducing the efficiency and the quality of transport services with all the expected negative consequences for the economy of Europe.

The Transport Ministers carried out a policy debate on emissions of nitrogen oxides caused by diesel vehicles. In recent years significant progress was made in this area and continue the efforts to be created a regulatory framework consistent with technological developments, opportunities of the industry and the trends to provide more environmentally friendly vehicles.

With regard to maritime transport the Ministers adopted a general approach at a Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on the recognition of professional qualifications in inland navigation. The mutual recognition of qualifications is an important issue for Bulgaria as it will provide for recognition of professional qualifications of Bulgarian seafarers working on vessels on inland waterways of Europe, including the Rhine River.

In the aviation sector the participants reviewed the progress report on the Proposal for a Regulation in the field of civil aviation and the establishment of an European Aviation Safety Agency of the European Union. The proposal is a part of "An aviation strategy for Europe", presented on 7 December 2015 by the European Commission.

The Regulation sets the tasks of the agency related to airworthiness and environmental compatibility of the aeronautical products, the air operations, the crew licensing, the airports, the air traffic management and the air traffic services as well as the safety of third-country operators.

The proposal is expected to contribute to the competitiveness of the European aviation industry and the aircraft that generate highly skilled jobs and technological innovation.

The Ministers reviewed the package of decisions enabling the Member States to authorize the Commission to open negotiations on comprehensive air transport agreements with the European Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) the State of Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and the Republic of Turkey.

The representatives of the Member States exchanged views on the preparation of the 39th Session of the General Assembly of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and the opportunity to adopt a global marketing measure to reduce carbon emissions from aviation. The application of the measure aims to stabilize emissions from international aviation at the level of 2020. This opportunity along with the sustainable development of air transport are the main objectives of the European Union.