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Speeches: Oleg Kamberski, CEE/EU Liaison Officer, IRU Brussels
Good morning ladies and gentlemen, Today, I will try to summarize for you in a couple if minutes the essence of the IRU enlargement strategy, the results achieved and the main short and medium-term challenges as we, in the IRU, see them. You will no doubt remember the IRU catchy 'step-by-step' wording under which our enlargement strategy was promoted: by that we meant that the opening of the market and the transposition of the acquis in the candidate countries should have been both progressive and simultaneous. On the eve of the entry of 10 new Member States, we can say that these two major IRU proposals were only partially followed and implemented by policy decision-makers. The opportunity for a progressive market opening in the pre-accession period was lost, although it was partly realised in other fora outside the EU (ECMT, bilateral), however, without the massive harmonisation potential contained in the enlargement process. Regarding post-accession, here again negotiators opted for a cabotage opening formula, which did not take into account all industry concerns and suggestions. In the parallel field of the acquis implementation, both EU and national policy decision-makers were much more sensitive to the IRU and its member associations' proposals. This was exemplified by the acceptance of our regular Progress reports, which were largely used by the entire road transport-related establishment in Brussels. Thus, today, we can safely say that in the international road transport sector the acquis transposition, implementation and enforcement is well-advanced. This is not yet the case for those companies operating domestically and, in our opinion, this should become a priority policy and monitoring area, where efforts should be deployed in the majority of the candidate countries. Once again, as already underlined in the IRU President's introductory speech, it is also a challenge for the IRU itself and its network of member associations in the candidate countries, to integrate, within a foreseeable future, into their structure and advocacy activities those road transport companies offering their services exclusively on their domestic market. It is a duty of the associations to find appropriate ways, not least statutory, to support these companies and offer them a viable political and organisational vehicle for their interests to be materialised and channelled through truly professional bodies, such as the IRU member associations in the candidate countries. From a longer-term perspective, and in particular from that of future EU membership, this becomes a matter of political urgency, effectiveness, representativeness and long-term sustainability for the associations themselves. Of course, the IRU enlargement strategy covered much more than acquis implementation and market opening. As already underlined by the moderator, the IRU Enlargement strategy also represented a unique confidence and capacity-building exercise, which led to the creation of a positive partnership atmosphere between all interested parties in a sector which, for decades, was characterised by extreme political sensitivity and protectionism. This positive partnership atmosphere was achieved thanks to the unanimous and dedicated support of all IRU members, both from East and West, which was instrumental in creating the huge political capital embodied in the IRU Enlargement Strategy proposals. Sadly though, only a limited part of this capital was put to good use and 're-invested' by politicians and negotiators from both sides. The road transport industry and the IRU member associations have undoubtedly benefited from the numerous IRU initiatives in this field, such as this conference today, the EU technical assistance projects initiated or supported by the IRU, the partnership events for SME road transport operators, as well as the regular information exchanges, seminars, dedicated studies and handbooks produced by the IRU, most of the them in co-operation with its member associations. In return, the road transport industry and the IRU members from the countries directly concerned by the enlargement process have re-invested these IRU 'goods' into their own strategies and everyday activities, as well as into the strengthening of the IRU network of member associations. Thus, with the entry of the new countries into the EU with objective road transport-friendly policies, we are all emerging stronger at European level, where the IRU and its member associations from the enlarged EU will see even more respect and heeding of their positions and opinions. This is indeed an opportunity and a challenge for the road transport industry and those who, together with us, believe in its unmatched potential to drive economies, distribute wealth and fight poverty, to rebalance the policy debate in the future enlarged EU. Our current priority, however, must be to convince policy decision-makers to establish a market-monitoring system to cover the road transport market of the present and future EU Member States, with two main objectives: firstly, to deliver timely policy and business-relevant information and, secondly, to help avoid crisis situations on the market. It is my firm belief that with the numerous pre- and post-enlargement challenges, this major IRU proposal has more chances than ever to be endorsed by politicians in Brussels and in the present and future EU Member States. Thank you very much indeed for your kind attention. |
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