Commission experts to help Cyprus reduce traffic accidents

The European Commission has agreed to send Commission experts to Cyprus to help local authorities achieve the community goal to halve traffic accidents in Europe by 2010.
The request was submitted by Communications and Works Minister Nicos Nicolaides to Enrico Grillo Director of Inland Transport, DG TREN, on the sidelines of the meeting of the European ministers responsible for transport who convened in Luxembourg on Thursday under the presidency of Dominique Bussereau.
Nicolaides also met with EU Transport Commissioner Antonio Tajani with whom they exchanged views on issues of mutual interest, especially in the field of shipping. They also expressed the wish to meet on a bilateral level soon.
The ministers decided jointly to take a decisive step towards the safe and sustainable development of transport. They also agreed unanimously on the need to act together to improve maritime safety by giving their agreement on the last two proposals of the Erika III package, comprising the proposed directive on flag state requirements and that on ship owners’ insurance. The ministers also made a commitment to ratify by 2012 the International Maritime Organisation’s (IMO) international agreements.
Nicolaides projected Cyprus’ positions on issues, which concern the island. He also expressed satisfaction that the French presidency included in the final draft the positions outlined by Cyprus and welcomed Dominique Bussereau for his efforts to reach a political agreement.
The Cypriot minister called on the Presidency and the Commission to secure, to the greatest extend possible, the contents of the agreement during the negotiations that will follow at the European Parliament.
On air transport, ministers gave their support to the inclusion of aviation in the Community Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS). Furthermore, ministers gave the go-ahead to the launch of the development phase of the SESAR programme, a system for air control falling under the technological umbrella of the ‘Single European Sky' package, which will authorize further progress in the area of limiting the impact of air traffic upon the environment. This programme is considered very important for Cyprus since it will provide an infrastructure of high performance making air transports safe and environment friendly, fully exploiting technological advancements.
The Council also authorized the Commission to begin negotiations for a Euro Mediterranean Air Transport Agreement with Lebanon, a suggestion that was supported by Cyprus, stressing the important role, which the island plays in managing air traffic control as part of regional cooperation with Lebanon and other Middle East countries.
During the discussion on environment issues in the transport sector, Nicolaides said that Cyprus fully understands the need to find immediate answers in lessening the effects of climate changes, as Cyprus is facing drought and increased temperatures in the region.
He also underlined the need to adopt an effective strategy on a European level, pointing out that Cyprus fully supports the proposal, which aims to reduce greatly the number of traffic accidents and deaths due to increased speed, driving under the influence of alcohol, not wearing seat belts and violating traffic light regulations.