EU Transport and Telecommunications Council meets in Luxembourg

The Transport and Telecommunications Council of the European Union will be held in Luxembourg in 6-7 June 2019. Finland will be represented by Deputy Permanent Representative, Coreper I representative Minna Kivimäki.

The Transport Council is expected to agree on its position on a proposal for a regulation on electronic freight transport information. The proposal is set to improve the effectiveness of freight transport and logistics. The proposed general approach is acceptable to Finland, provided that the implementation of the information systems will not bring excessive costs. Another requirement is that it must be possible to make use of digitalisation and new technologies.

The Ministers of Transport will take note of the Presidency's state of play report on the proposal to streamline and facilitate the completion of the Trans-European networks (TEN-T). The Council will also be informed of the state of play of the proposal concerning the use of hired vehicles in the international carriage of goods by road. The proposed directive is part a more extensive mobility package on road transport.

The Council will also take note of the state of play of the revision of the Eurovignette Directive and that of the regulation on rail passengers' rights.

The Council will take note of the Presidency's information on the directive that concerns discontinuing seasonal changes of time.

In the Telecommunications Council, the ministers are expected to adopt a Council decision on the EU position for the World Radiocommunication Conference, scheduled for October/November 2019. The contents of the proposal are acceptable to Finland. The World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC) is the supreme international body governing the use of the radio-frequency spectrum. It is held every three to four years.

The ministers will hold a policy debate prior to adopting conclusions on the future of a highly digitised Europe. Prepared to accept these conclusions, Finland supports the objective of making extensive use of digitalisation.

The Council will take stock of progress on the Regulation on Protection of Privacy in Electronic Communications (ePrivacy). During the talks, Finland has underlined that the proposed legislation should be part of an integrated regulatory package on data protection in telecommunications and ensure the fulfilment of basic and human rights.

On both meeting days, Finland will present its preliminary objectives for its upcoming Presidency of the Council of the European Union, which will begin on 1 July 2019.

Inquiries: Maaria Mäntyniemi, Ministerial Adviser, tel. +358 50 444 0922