Sustainability is the goal - EU Transport ministers
Social, economic and ecologically sustainable transport systems need to be the goal in Europe, according to a resolution of the European Transport Council, which met on 4 and 5 April in Luxembourg. The transport ministers were carrying out the first review of a transport strategy, set out by the Council in October 1999, which undertook to integrate environmental and sustainable development considerations into transport policy. The decision that brought about this strategy required a review by June 2001, which took place at the Council meeting. The next planned review is in the autumn of 2002. Swedish industry minister and present chairman of the Transport Council, Björn Rosengren welcomed the development. 'This resolution represents a step forward in several areas. It provides us with a common foundation on which to build. We have established our priorities and pointed out areas which we will urge the Commission to look further into, even in the short term,' he said. He went on to emphasise that one of the major steps forward had been the recognition that an economic angle to sustainable development was needed and that environmental policy must dovetail with industrial policy. The Council also received a briefing from European Commissioner for Enterprise and information society, Erkki Liikanen, on the opening of the access to the local loop (whose regulation has been in force since January 2001) and the Commission's plans for a proposal for a comprehensive strategy and action plan for secure networks in the European Union, which is due to be discussed at the Internal market, consumer affairs and tourism Council on 5 June. Mr Liikanen also took the opportunity to brief the Council on Communications on eEurope, fighting cybercrime and introduction of third generation mobile phones.
Countries
Sweden