Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2003-10-21-Speech-2-054"
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"en.20031021.2.2-054"2
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".
Madam President, I should like to thank all the honourable Members who took the floor for their contributions. A number of different approaches were put forward. Everyone seems to agree, however, that this is the last opportunity to give a real boost to the rail sector. It is the last chance to make rail a competitive form of transport in the twenty-first century. Thus, it is the last chance to ensure rail becomes a genuine alternative to road for freight transport. That is the first task. It is being completed today by means of this second rail package. The next challenge will be to make rail a genuine alternative form of passenger transport also.
We totally agree that a number of actors will emerge once the railways are fully integrated in the field, when a European railway network is in place and geographical integration a reality. Competition will then come about. This will result in better services, prices and quality and increased competitiveness.
The need for funds was also mentioned. Funds are required to carry out the necessary technological changes in the years to come. These changes will secure the existence of a Trans-European network transcending current borders.
In this connection I should point out that new proposals for amendments to the regulation give priority to this factor with regard to the Trans-European networks. You will nonetheless be aware that in the context of the financial perspective after 2007, I am proposing an eight or nine-fold increase of the funds allocated to these networks. I am actually proposing that in excess of EUR 4 000 million be set aside for this purpose each year. The rail sector will certainly be a priority then, along with the accomplishment of a Trans-European railway network, or to put it in other words, interoperability.
Turning to the human factor, this is crucial. We will be presenting the third rail package for passenger transport. In addition though, we shall deal with the whole issue of qualifications, as I mentioned earlier.
I am sure we all realise safety is absolutely essential in the rail sector. It is essential for any form of transport. The railways certainly have a fine tradition to live up to. It is important to maintain and build on this tradition. Indeed, it should be developed further and common criteria shared across the European network.
Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, the House already helped to ensure the survival of the railways by supporting the first rail package. This second rail package will allow Parliament to make a further contribution to ensuring that our railways do not end up as relics of the past. They need to become the network of the future, dedicated to the service of society and of the common good."@en1
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