The revised European rules on the posting of workers do not cover the transport sector. To clarify this issue the European Commission published its I. Mobility Package, which aims to ensure adequate social conditions for drivers as well as a fair and well-functioning single market. It sets out requirements to pursue the occupation of road transport, on the access to the international road haulage market, hauliers’ driving and rest times, tachographs, the enforcement of social rules and special rules for the posting of drivers.
“The Mobility Package places at a disadvantage the Hungarian hauliers, businesses, and in general the Eastern Member States’ workers in Europe with bureaucratic rules, increases the transport costs and undermines the competitiveness of the Union”, indicated the Minister of State for Economic Strategy and Regulation László György on the Transport Council of 7th of June 2018. It was of key importance for Hungary from the outset to reach a deal on a professional basis that is not driven by political ambitions and, taking into consideration the interests of carriers, creates a balance between the freedom to provide services, the free movement of goods and the social protection of workers. László György emphasised furthermore that the adoption of the package would have serious negative consequences on the transport sector.
The ministers examined and adopted a general approach on the Regulation on safeguarding competition in air transport, which aims to ensure fair competition between EU airlines and third countries carriers. In this context Hungary underlined the importance to maintain and further develop the regional connectivity.
The Council also adopted its position on the Directive on port reception facilities, as well as on the Directive on the interoperability of electronic road toll systems and facilitating cross-border exchange of information on the failure to pay road fees in the Union. However no agreement was reached on the Directive on the use of vehicles hired without drivers due to its close connection with the other proposals of the Mobility Package.
The ministers assessed progress on proposals to promote combined transport and clean road transport vehicles, as well as on the Regulation on rail passengers’ rights and obligations.
The Swedish delegation informed the Council on the third high-level dialogue on automated and connected driving which will take place in Gothenburg on 18th and 19th June 2018. Hungary supports the efforts of Member States, the Commission and the European Automobile Industry towards a highly and a fully automated, connected driving. Accordingly we developed the most advanced test track of Middle Europe in Zalaegerszeg, the oval track is currently being built.
