EPP Group expects Šefčovič to deliver on promises

The EPP Group in the European Parliament expects the Commissioner-Designate for Transport and Space, Maroš Šefčovič, to deliver on the promises he made at his Hearing on Tuesday night.

“Mr Šefčovič made it clear that he will work hard on the Trans European Networks (TEN-Ts), the much-needed large international transport connections in Europe. This is indeed important for a Single European Transport Area, now that the guidelines and funds are in place”, said Dutch MEP Wim van de Camp, EPP Group Spokesman in the Transport and Tourism Committee. “We will discuss his answers more in-depth and give our final judgement later”.

The EPP Group also examined the Slovak candidate on his views on the German plans for a road vignette for passenger cars. “The plans are discriminatory against non-German car drivers”, stated Austrian MEP Claudia Schmidt. She received a promise by Maroš Šefčovič that the EU principle of non-discrimination must be respected.

The EPP Group also pressed Šefčovič to advance on technology for safer and more efficient air traffic. “Therefore the Commissioner-Designate should coordinate the work on the European navigation satellites Galileo and SESAR technology”, said Marian-Jean Marinescu MEP.

The EPP Group also noted that the Commissioner-Designate wants to rebuild the capacity of inland waterways, an important mode of transport.

If the European Parliament approves in October, the new European Commission will take up its duties on 1 November.