IP/06/711
Brussels, 1st June 2006
European Ports Policy: European Commission initiates global reflection and consultation process The European Commission will participate in the European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO) Conference in Stockholm entitled “A European Policy for Seaports – Suggestions on the way forward” on 1 and 2 June. The Commission wants a global reflection and a wide consultation process in order to redefine the foundations of the future European ports policy. Such a policy should encompass the completion of the internal market in the sector, encourage transparent and non-discriminatory investment practices and enhance the role of ports in the transport chain.
European Commission Vice-President Jacques Barrot declared: “Ports are Europe’s windows to the world. European ports play a key role for our growth and jobs strategy and we must make sure that ports can handle the expected growth in maritime traffic. It is essential to promote investment and employment in the sector”.
The consultation process on the future EU ports policy will be launched at the conference, where Vice-President Jacques Barrot will present his views on the challenges facing European ports and provide some indication of possible ways ahead. In any case, a future European ports policy should address issues such as the necessary investments for meeting port capacity needs; sound competition; clear rules for public contribution to investments; and finally, environmental and social concerns. The Commission has great interest in the opinions of stakeholders and other interested parties who will participate at the Conference, as the conclusions of the Conference will help to identify priority areas for developing actions and instruments. . Ports play a key role in European competitiveness. Most of EU exports to third countries and imports from third countries are channelled through parts. Their efficiency and capacity are key elements of the EU’s growth and jobs strategy.
Following the European Parliament’s rejection in first reading of a proposal for a Directive on market access to port services[1], and taking into account the clear lack of support for the proposal in the Council, the European Commission decided to withdraw the proposal in March 2006.
The development of a new European ports policy will also form part of a wider process of policy definition for European transport policy following the adoption of the mid term review of the White paper on European Transport policy scheduled for adoption on 22 June 2006.
[1] COM(2004) 654 final.
