ON the eve of the European Maritime Day -20 May - and against the background of the forthcoming European elections, the European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO) has urged the EU not to give in to protectionist reflexes in times of economic slowdown.
“On the contrary,” an ESPO statement says, “European policy-makers should strengthen Europe’s open economy by completing the internal market and achieving a common transport policy which fosters efficiency, competitiveness and sustainability.”
ESPO calls on the incoming European Parliament and the European Commission to focus on the following five priorities:
Fostering sustainable development of transport infrastructure through an adequate Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) policy which strengthens the role of seaports and improves and further develops hinterland connections between ports and land transport networks. Recognising the public interest of vital transport infrastructure projects and achieving fast-track procedures in order to allow their speedy execution and compliance with environmental and other assessments.
Fostering the “co-modality” principle whereby the competitive advantage of each transport mode is fully exploited in a sustainable and equal manner.
Ensuring full liberalisation of rail freight transport and removal of all operational cross-border bottlenecks and barriers.
Creating an internal market for short-sea shipping through a rapid implementation of the “Common Maritime Transport Space without Barriers” package.
Regarding European seaport policy in the strict sense, ESPO calls for the urgent implementation of the policy framework set out in the European Commission’s 2007 Ports Policy Communication, in particular where it concerns the development of State aid guidelines and guidelines on the implementation of environmental legislation.