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Welcome Addresses: Paul Laeremans
One year after EU Enlargement: Welcome Addresse
It is a pleasure and an honour for me, on behalf of the IRU, to welcome you to this 8th IRU TransEuro Road Transport Conference, here in the beautiful Baltic city of Tallinn. Yes, Ladies and Gentlemen, time is passing so quickly! Just over a year ago, on 1 May 2004, 10 countries walked together through the gates of the European Union. From a historical point of view, 384 days have gone by since that date. This is therefore an excellent opportunity, not to celebrate this event once again, but to pursue our reflection on the best way to overcome the challenges and how to seize the new opportunities! With this in mind, the IRU has chosen only 3 words for the main title of this major event: "One Year After…", with the intention of giving you this unique opportunity to share your "Experiences and Expectations of EU Enlargement in the Wider Europe". Those who have been with us on previous occasions of this highly successful series of IRU regional conferences on road transport, have discovered a symbolic change in the name of this conference: it is no longer called "East-West" conference, the reason being that since 1 May 2004, the East-West comparison has lost its former meaning in the new European context. We have therefore chosen a new name which reflects much better the Pan-European framework of social and economic cooperation on this Continent. Ladies and Gentlemen, sustainable development as well as trade, tourism and road transport facilitation are the IRU's two principal strategic commitments, which influence all the IRU policy initiatives, including those implemented within the seventy countries of the IRU international network of member associations. The continuous process of globalisation is accelerating the change in our daily activities by shaping new trade patterns and the transport environment, thus bringing for each transport association and transport operator new challenges and opportunities, new responsibilities and also new requirements from our partners and customers. Passenger and goods road transport services rendered by bus, coach, taxi and commercial goods vehicles provide the vital link between economic and social activities. It is not without pride that we can declare: road transport is the leading transport mode, ensuring the link between all transport modes and supporting today's modern tourist and logistic chains. Of all the transport modes, it is road transport which is available everywhere for everyone, which best unites mankind and improves the generation of wealth and its better social distribution. Where else have we witnessed in a more pronounced way the crucial role of road transport, its growth into a market leader thanks to its unique contribution to peaceful and successful economic and social transformation, than in the transition economies and today's new EU member states? That is why, for the IRU, the improvement of the recognition of the professionalism of the road transport industry through the new services provided by the IRU Academy, the realisation of the principles and practice of sustainable development in our sector and the promotion of road transport facilitation are the key elements of road transport efficiency which have become synonymous with fighting poverty and creating equal chances for all in today's increasingly global market and society. During this conference, we shall analyse together what has been achieved in the post-accession period in comparison to our strategic objectives. According to my experience, the unification of the transport markets of old and new EU member states has been a smooth and mostly successful process. Trade, tourism and road transport have gained enormously from the disappearance of internal borders. Costs and the time requirements of transport operations have decreased, while the utilisation level of rolling stock and the productivity of international road transport operators have grown. But, to be complete, we need to recognise, despite the increasing market opportunities, that competition in our fully liberalised sector (except for certain areas in passenger transport by bus and coach) has sharpened and has reduced the return on investment. In a highly competitive market, the mission of employers' organisations like national road transport associations and the IRU has become more important, but remains basically the same. We must ensure, in all circumstances, that each operator has the same chance in the market. To do so, it is our task, day after day, to work together with international organisations and national governments to shape, implement, control and enforce legislative, fiscal, social and technical conditions on the road transport market to ensure equal competition for all, without distortion. Ladies and Gentlemen, For the IRU and for all present in this room today, trade, tourism and transport do not stop at the external borders of the EU. What is more, the "third-country dimension", the concept of a "wider Europe" is a reality which gains in significance every day. Therefore, the EU bodies and governments should rouse themselves and find solutions to long-lasting problems such as the lack of harmonised implementation of the Community ‘acquis', the waiting times at the EU external borders, the costly and complex procedure to obtain visas for international drivers, and so on. Nor should we tolerate any longer that due to the lack of efficient criteria for access to the profession, our industry continues to suffer from the actions of "black sheep", the fraudsters, the unfair players. Over the years, the IRU and its member associations have proven their long-standing commitment to integration and facilitation, as well as their readiness to share their know-how and to co-operate with their partners, including authorities, to develop a modern EU transport policy ensuring, for each professional road transport operator, an appropriate return on investment allowing him to satisfy the increasing demand for mobility of persons and goods as a result of social and economic development. Your presence here today and your commitment are a guarantee that by working together we will achieve our goals. Allow me, at the end of my exposé, to thank our partner IVECO, who has helped to stage this conference for you. I wish you every success in your work during the two days of the conference prepared and hosted for you jointly by the Estonian Road Transport Association (ERAA) and the IRU. Enjoy the meetings and benefit from the presence of some important exhibitors, like …, who, with their products and services, contribute to reinforcing the position of transport operators on the road transport market. Let us work together for a better future!
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