Rail will play a key role in the future of transport, as Europe seeks to improve transport efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, a communication on the future of transport published by the European Commission on 17 June claims. In line with what European rail infrastructure managers have long been calling for, the Commission document argues for the internalisation of the external costs of transport, more efficient use of existing infrastructure and the opening up of the transport market.

The FIA Eurocouncil deplores Slovenia’s latest decree fixing a new road toll vignette system for its highway system of just 487km. Werner Kraus, President of the Austrian automobile club OAMTC and chairman of the Eurocouncil, said “The amended vignette system is utterly unfair, overpriced and a cynical response to the European Commission’s request to stop discriminating against European tourists visiting or in transit through Slovenia.

European liberal prime ministers and party leaders today gathered together for their traditional pre EU summit meeting in Brussels. They discussed the upcoming election of the President of the European Commission; the preparations for the Swedish presidency and their support for a second referendum on the Lisbon Treaty in the company of Irish Prime Minister, Brian Cowen.

On the occasion of the European Council meeting on 18 and 19 June, Copa and Cogeca, the bodies representing European farmers and European agricultural cooperatives, are calling on the heads of state and government to set clear political guidelines for addressing the crisis in the dairy
sector.

Padraig Walshe, President of Copa, said, “European dairy farmers are in a serious economic crisis.

On 18 June 2009, in the presence of Vladimir ŠPIDLA, European Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities, the European Social Partners, have formally adopted an agreement revising their 1995 Framework Agreement on Parental Leave.