Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2003-07-02-Speech-3-267"
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"en.20030702.8.3-267"2
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".
Mr President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, the rapporteur Mr Caveri, Chairman of the Committee on Regional Policy, Transport and Tourism, cannot be here to expound on his recommendation in person. Expectations are that he will shortly be leaving the European Parliament to take up a senior post in the administration of his region, Valle d'Aosta. As Vice-Chairman of the Committee on Transport, I shall therefore take over the explanation of his recommendation.
Under its accession treaty, Austria has a system of permits for heavy goods vehicles. In six months' time, that system will come to an end. The so-called ecopoints constitute a complex dossier in which many conflicting interests are at stake. We are all agreed on the objective: a reduction in emissions from heavy goods vehicles in the Alpine region. This is one of the aims of the Alpine Convention, to which all the countries concerned are signatories. As regards the path towards that aim, however, there is a difference of opinion between the Council and Parliament.
We, the European Parliament, are not convinced by the common position, which does not have the support of the two Member States most affected: Italy and Austria. It is true that the two countries have opposite reasons for this, but that just goes to show that further consultation is advisable. In addition, exemptions were necessary in order to win some of the other Member States over. The Committee on Transport wants to achieve a balance between attention to air quality on the one hand, and the free movement of goods on the other. That is why we have sought a compromise for the areas of Austria which have the greatest problems: the Alps, and especially the three main passes. This is expressly a transitional stage on the way towards a sustainable approach for the whole of the Alpine region.
Our proposal to keep the cleanest heavy goods vehicles, category Euro 4, outside the points system is compatible with the common position. On the other hand, the most polluting vehicles, Euro 0, must be banned indiscriminately; which means no exemptions for Greek and Portuguese vehicles. Finally, the legislative process regarding charging for the use of the infrastructure must be accelerated, in our opinion.
For these reasons, a majority on the Committee on Transport has decided to re-table all the amendments from first reading. Starting from that position, we want to enter into dialogue with the Council in order to find a structural solution, as we are heading straight for a conciliation procedure. I should like to emphasise that no time should be lost in this. After the summer recess, there will only be a few months left before the current arrangement comes to an end. It is in everyone's interest that a transitional system enters into force by Christmas.
This sensitive dossier calls for a firm stance on the part of the European Parliament. I sincerely recommend the rapporteur's amendments to you all, therefore."@en1
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