Documents > European Union > Current topics > Priorities of Portugal’s presidency in transport and the European Year of Rail Priorities of Portugal’s presidency in transport and the European Year of Rail10/02/2021 08:38:22|Current topics On 1 January 2021, Portugal assumed presidency of the Council of the EU for the next six months. Its priorities build on the preceding German’s presidency under the motto “Time to deliver: a fair, green and digital recovery”. In general, Portugal will focus on bringing the EU through the COVID-19 pandemic and transition towards digital, sustainable and green future based on solidarity and cohesion. In transport, Portugal’s presidency will focus on the overall recovery and resilience of the transport sector and on the rail transport. In road transport, the main attention will be paid to the discussion on Eurovignette Directive. The presidency will make an effort to reach an agreement with the European Parliament and adopt this legislation. In aviation, the priority will be the Single European Sky initiative, but also the Slots Regulation. Discussion on this legislation has started already in January. In maritime transport, the European Commission has not yet published new legislative proposals, so Portugal will focus on a coordination of the EU position in IMO. Concerning intermodal questions, the key element will be the proposal of Omnibus II Regulation on extension of validity of transport documents, including driving licences, as well as a discussion on the Strategy for smart and sustainable mobility published by the European Commission in December 2020. 1 January 2021 also marked the beginning of the European Year of Rail. This initiative aims to show that rail is one the most sustainable, smartest and safest means of transport. Via the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T), the railway interconnects the EU and is responsible for mere 0.5% of emissions in the entire EU. To improve passenger rights in rail transport, the Council of the EU adopted at the end of January revised regulation, which strengthens in particular rights of passengers with disabilities or reduced mobility and makes it easier to transport bicycles on trains. As a country holding the presidency, Portugal organized on 2 and 3 February Railway Summit to discuss current and future trends in rail transport such as digitalization, green and sustainable mobility or new mobility solutions. Similar to the preceding presidencies, Portugal informs about its activities on social networks (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube or Flickr). Download: Programme for the Portuguese Presidency Back to article list Previous articleNext article
On 1 January 2021, Portugal assumed presidency of the Council of the EU for the next six months. Its priorities build on the preceding German’s presidency under the motto “Time to deliver: a fair, green and digital recovery”. In general, Portugal will focus on bringing the EU through the COVID-19 pandemic and transition towards digital, sustainable and green future based on solidarity and cohesion. In transport, Portugal’s presidency will focus on the overall recovery and resilience of the transport sector and on the rail transport. In road transport, the main attention will be paid to the discussion on Eurovignette Directive. The presidency will make an effort to reach an agreement with the European Parliament and adopt this legislation. In aviation, the priority will be the Single European Sky initiative, but also the Slots Regulation. Discussion on this legislation has started already in January. In maritime transport, the European Commission has not yet published new legislative proposals, so Portugal will focus on a coordination of the EU position in IMO. Concerning intermodal questions, the key element will be the proposal of Omnibus II Regulation on extension of validity of transport documents, including driving licences, as well as a discussion on the Strategy for smart and sustainable mobility published by the European Commission in December 2020. 1 January 2021 also marked the beginning of the European Year of Rail. This initiative aims to show that rail is one the most sustainable, smartest and safest means of transport. Via the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T), the railway interconnects the EU and is responsible for mere 0.5% of emissions in the entire EU. To improve passenger rights in rail transport, the Council of the EU adopted at the end of January revised regulation, which strengthens in particular rights of passengers with disabilities or reduced mobility and makes it easier to transport bicycles on trains. As a country holding the presidency, Portugal organized on 2 and 3 February Railway Summit to discuss current and future trends in rail transport such as digitalization, green and sustainable mobility or new mobility solutions. Similar to the preceding presidencies, Portugal informs about its activities on social networks (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube or Flickr).