CER welcomes Commissioners Bulc, Šefčovič and Katainen

On 1 November, the Juncker Commission officially took office. The Community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies (CER) is looking forward to working with the newly elected decision makers, in particular Violeta Bulc, European Commissioner responsible for Transport, Maroš Šefčovič, European Commission Vice-President responsible for Energy Union, as well as Jyrki Katainen, Vice-President for Jobs, Growth, Investment and Competitiveness.

Transport, energy, and climate policies play a crucial role in strengthening Europe’s economic security, its economic competitiveness, and its ability to pursue a robust external policy. Rail, as a low-oil, low-carbon transport mode, should constitute the backbone of a new-generation transport system and facilitating its growth will deliver a positive impact on growth and employment.

In its sector vision, CER suggests a three-pronged approach in order to reach this potential: One, stabilise the legislative framework for the railway market. Two, pursue a pro-growth agenda for the railway sector. Three, develop a new inter-modal strategy for transport.

CER Executive Director Libor Lochman said: “I look forward to working closely with Ms Bulc, Mr Šefčovič and Mr Katainen in view of establishing the best conditions for a strong European transport sector with the railway sector as the backbone of the EU transport logistics chain”.

He added: “We heard a clear commitment from the Commissioners in their hearings to devoting attention to fair intermodal legislation and to giving renewed attention to climate matters. CER will do its best to support the Commissioners’ agendas and to keep these issues at the centre of the political debate”.

CER’s key documents relating to its sector vision and recommended policy priorities for EU institutions for the 2014-2019 mandate are available on the CER website.