Airport, Estonia, EU – Baltic States, Forum, Transport
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Friday, 29.03.2024, 02:48
EU transport ministers discuss ways to improve air connections
"There are currently two ways in which the European Union is able to
increase the number of air links needed: setting public service obligations for
airlines and providing state aid," Estonian Minister of Economic Affairs
and Infrastructure Kadri Simson
said.
Meanwhile, Estonia has been analyzing the possibility of providing
international air services with public service contracts to European economic
centers but has found that it cannot be implemented in full compliance with the
requirements of the European Union without compromising the competitive
environment. This current approach is more suitable for local, not
international connections.
"Therefore, we need a solution that would ensure sufficient air
connections while not jeopardizing free competition in the single EU aviation
market. It remains to be seen whether the European Union will be able to create
opportunities that will provide all member states with solutions to ensure good
connections," the minister said.
European Commissioner for Transport Violeta
Bulc confirmed that good transport connections are an important issue for
the European Commission, especially by looking at the various modes of
transport. "I believe that only when we include other modes of transport,
in addition to air connections, can the provision of connections become
sustainable," Bulc said.
The EU transport ministers on Thursday will continue discussions in the
Tallinn Creative Hub to chart the policies and investment needs for the
development of the trans-European transport network in the next funding
period, that is, after 2020.
On the second day of the meeting, the focus will be on the results of the
previous projects of the transport network (TEN-T), the CEF mid-term
review and on discussing the use of possible sources of funding - including
innovative sources - for building up the TEN-T network during the next funding
period.