Minister Harakka attends a meeting of the EU Transport and Telecommunications Council

The transport and telecommunications ministers of the European Union will meet in Luxembourg on 3-4 June 2021. In the meeting, Finland will be represented by Minister of Transport and Communications Timo Harakka.

The Transport Council meeting on 3 June is to hold a policy debate on the way forward in the strategy for sustainable and smart mobility and to adopt Council conclusions on it. It is the EU's objective to be climate neutral by 2050. During the preparation of the strategy, Finland has emphasised the importance of climate issues and use of data in improving transport services.

The Council is invited to adopt conclusions on the rail sector, too. Railway transport is climate-friendly and increasing its modal share is an efficient way of reducing emissions.

The Ministers will aim to reach agreement on a Council position on proposals on the implementation of the Single European Sky (SES2+). The reform of the Single European Sky aims to increase the efficiency of air traffic management and air navigation services. This would reduce delays, costs and emissions from air traffic.

The Council aims to reach a common position on revising the Directive on the use of vehicles hired without drivers for the carriage of goods by road. The aims of the proposal are to reduce the administrative burden on undertakings and ensure equal access for transport operators across the EU to the market for hired vehicles without drivers for the carriage of goods.

The Ministers are due to adopt a general approach on revising the professional qualifications in the Directive on inland navigation.

In the Telecommunications Council, on 4 June, the Ministers will hold a policy debate on the Digital Compass on the basis of the European Commission's communication released in March 2021. The Digital Compass presents the EU's concrete digital targets for 2030.  

The Council will take stock of progress on revising the Directive on measures for a high common level of cybersecurity (revised NIS directive). The directive proposal is an important part of the aims of the European Commission's new cybersecurity strategy. Its objective is to improve the level of cybersecurity both in the EU as a whole and in Member States in terms of critical sectors and operators.

The Council will hear a progress report by the Presidency on the Data Governance Act. The aim of the proposal is to promote the availability and use of data and to create an interoperable internal market for data.

Inquiries:

Kristiina Pietikäinen, Senior Ministerial Adviser, tel. +358 40 522 2122

Silja Pasanen, Senior Specialist tel. +358 50 501 7454

Annina Tikkanen, Senior Officer, tel. +358 50 478 3398