© International Road Transport Union (IRU) 2004International Conference, Moscow 5 March 2004Page 1 Russian Road Transport and the Transport Strategy of Russia Moscow, International Conference, 5 March 2004 Hubert Linssen, Genereal Delegate, IRU Brussels Moscow, International Conference, 5 March 2004 Hubert Linssen, Genereal Delegate, IRU Brussels

© International Road Transport Union (IRU) 2004International Conference, Moscow 5 March 2004Page 2 International Conference 5 March 2004 EU ENLARGEMENT: where are we? 1.International road transport of goods and the international and national transport of passengers between to be liberalised on 1 May For goods transport by road, transitional periods for market access for cabotage negotiated with all new Member States according to (3+2 for PL & HU) formula, except Cyprus, Malta & Slovenia 3.Bulgaria & Romania will probably join the EU on 1 January 2007 with similar transitional periods for cabotage (3+2) 4.Turkey and the countries from the Western Balkans are expected to become members within the next 10 years – some even sooner (Croatia, Macedonia) 1.International road transport of goods and the international and national transport of passengers between to be liberalised on 1 May For goods transport by road, transitional periods for market access for cabotage negotiated with all new Member States according to (3+2 for PL & HU) formula, except Cyprus, Malta & Slovenia 3.Bulgaria & Romania will probably join the EU on 1 January 2007 with similar transitional periods for cabotage (3+2) 4.Turkey and the countries from the Western Balkans are expected to become members within the next 10 years – some even sooner (Croatia, Macedonia)

© International Road Transport Union (IRU) 2004International Conference, Moscow 5 March 2004Page 3 International Conference 5 March 2004  EU Communication setting out a framework for relations Russia, the western NIS and Southern Mediterranean countries sharing a border with the enlarged Union  Transport networks and harmonisation likely to be priorities  “Wider Europe” is an inclusive political framework but a road transport dimension is needed  The role of Russia – its trade and transport community and authorities – is crucial  EU Communication setting out a framework for relations Russia, the western NIS and Southern Mediterranean countries sharing a border with the enlarged Union  Transport networks and harmonisation likely to be priorities  “Wider Europe” is an inclusive political framework but a road transport dimension is needed  The role of Russia – its trade and transport community and authorities – is crucial EU Wider Europe Strategy

© International Road Transport Union (IRU) 2004International Conference, Moscow 5 March 2004Page 4 International Conference 5 March 2004 EU-Russia Relations  European Commission Communication on EU-Russia partnership: Strategy based on three pillars:  The extension of the current Partnership & Cooperation Agreement (PCA)  The recognition of the interdependence of the EU and Russia’s common interests  The need for a strategic partnership

© International Road Transport Union (IRU) 2004International Conference, Moscow 5 March 2004Page 5 International Conference 5 March 2004 EU-Russia Relations  Objectives established by EU-Russia St. Petersburg Summit (2003): establish four common spaces:  Common economic space  Common space of freedom, security and justice  Common space of cooperation in the field of external security  Common space of research, education and culture  Road transport sector should anticipate and come up with proposals

© International Road Transport Union (IRU) 2004International Conference, Moscow 5 March 2004Page 6 International Conference 5 March 2004 The IRU Enlargement Strategy  Opening of road transport markets a step-by-step process  Full opening subject to full adoption & implementation of the EU acquis  Market opening linked with the freedom of establishment  Community pre-accession quota of authorisations for the int’l transport of goods by road to be created  Passenger transport: entry into force/adherence to INTERBUS is a first step  Harmonised operational conditions for own account transport (OAT) based on the EU acquis  Road transport industry closely associated in all discussions  Appropriate market indicators must be created

© International Road Transport Union (IRU) 2004International Conference, Moscow 5 March 2004Page 7 International Conference 5 March 2004 The IRU Enlargement Strategy Built around four pillars:  Clear & agreed objectives at industry level  Commitment and support within the political establishment  Dialogue, transparency and common references  Assistance in removing political and technical bottlenecks

© International Road Transport Union (IRU) 2004International Conference, Moscow 5 March 2004Page 8 International Conference 5 March 2004 IRU Achievements within Enlargement  Opportunity for pre-accession market opening lost  Proposals on cabotage partially taken into account  Industry proposals in the field of acquis implementation largely followed (monitoring Progress reports)  IRU enlargement strategy a unique confidence and capacity-building exercise  Associations and operators making good use of IRU initiatives: East-West conferences, technical assistance projects, partnership events for SME road transport operators, handbooks, studies  Opportunity for pre-accession market opening lost  Proposals on cabotage partially taken into account  Industry proposals in the field of acquis implementation largely followed (monitoring Progress reports)  IRU enlargement strategy a unique confidence and capacity-building exercise  Associations and operators making good use of IRU initiatives: East-West conferences, technical assistance projects, partnership events for SME road transport operators, handbooks, studies

© International Road Transport Union (IRU) 2004International Conference, Moscow 5 March 2004Page 9 International Conference 5 March 2004 Towards a pan-European market with harmonised conditions for competition and minimum barriers  The EU single market is the only area in which majority of barriers have been pulled down => can serve as a model  International multilateral arrangements such as within the ECMT or the Interbus Agreement, backed by UNECE facilitation instruments, offer better chances to achieve fairer framework and harmonised conditions for competition  The EU single market is the only area in which majority of barriers have been pulled down => can serve as a model  International multilateral arrangements such as within the ECMT or the Interbus Agreement, backed by UNECE facilitation instruments, offer better chances to achieve fairer framework and harmonised conditions for competition

© International Road Transport Union (IRU) 2004International Conference, Moscow 5 March 2004Page 10 International Conference 5 March 2004 Road transport must play a leading role  The opportunities are there to obtain the gradual harmonisation of conditions of competition and market integration to create a truly pan-European transport sector  We must not spare our efforts in making a positive contribution towards this goal, working together with our partners from the public and private sectors in the EU & Russia Working Together for a Better Future !  The opportunities are there to obtain the gradual harmonisation of conditions of competition and market integration to create a truly pan-European transport sector  We must not spare our efforts in making a positive contribution towards this goal, working together with our partners from the public and private sectors in the EU & Russia Working Together for a Better Future !