Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2003-12-17-Speech-3-177"

Predicate	Value (sorted: default)
rdf:type	lpv_eu:Speech2
dcterms:Date	"2003-12-17"^^xsd:date2
dcterms:Is Part Of	lp_eu:Transitional points system for HGVs in Austria in 20042
dcterms:Language	"nl"^^xsd:language2
lpv:document identification number	"en.20031217.6.3-177"2
lpv:hasSubsequent	lp_eu:2003-12-17-Speech-3-1782
lpv:speaker	lp:Rijk van Dam2
lpv:spokenAs	member; EDD (1999-07-20--2004-07-19)3 substitute; Temporary committee on improving safety at sea (2003-11-20--2004-04-21)3 member; CONT (2003-01-29--2004-07-19)3 vice-chair; Committee on Regional Policy, Transport and Tourism (2002-01-21--2004-07-19)3 unknown; ChristenUnie - Staatkundig Gereformeerde Parti (2002-03-18--2004-07-19)3 member; Delegation for relations with the countries of South Asia and the South Asia Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) (2002-02-07--2004-07-19)3 substitute; Delegation to the EU-Estonia Joint Parliamentary Committee (2002-09-18--2004-04-30)3 member; Delegation for relations with Israel (2002-02-07--2004-07-19)3 substitute; BUDG (2002-01-17--2004-07-19)3
lpv:translated text	"Mr President, after that inspired effort by one of our Austrian MEPs, I should get back to earth, although I do understand the sentiments involved. On 31 December next, the exceptional ecopoints agreement expires. Much of our time this year has been taken up by the question of whether, and if so, how, this system should be followed up. The report at first and second reading clearly addressed this issue. Parliament wanted nothing but a transitional system from the current ecopoints system to a situation in which foreign lorries would also gain free transit through Austria. This, however, did not appear to be what Austria had in mind. The Council initially went along with this. Now that we have reached the end of conciliation, it looks like the Council and Parliament are essentially in agreement after all. The compromise embraces a regime in which the most polluting vehicles are barred and clean ones encouraged, while the available number of points are deducted annually. This is a realistic balance in the light of the conflict between the need to protect the Alpine region – which is indeed vulnerable – and the principle of the free movement of goods – which is, after all, a reality in the European Union. That is why we were bitterly disappointed when Austria announced its intention to abolish the ecopoints system as of 1 January 2004. In this debate, I should like to make three appeals. First of all, to Austria, that it may realise the long-standing mutual hostilities its attitude could possibly bring about. Unnecessary internal irritation is far from constructive. Secondly, I should like to urge the Commission to carefully monitor the admissibility of potential Austrian actions which may jeopardise the free movement of goods. Thirdly, I should like to call on my fellow MEPs to review the Eurovignette directive without delay. In its new form, it could provide an answer to the current gridlock. I am pleased with the compromise that has been struck with the Council, and we therefore warmly support it."@en1

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