An informal videoconference of EU Transport Ministers will be convened by the Cyprus Presidency of the Council on Tuesday, 21 April, in response to developments in the Middle East and their direct impact on energy markets and the European transport sector.
According to a Cypriot official, who briefed the press in Brussels, “disruptions to energy infrastructure, airspace and global logistics will have long-term effects, even if the situation stabilises.”
The Presidency has, from the outset, placed energy and transport resilience high on its agenda, with initiatives focusing on three priorities: strong EU-level coordination, reducing dependencies on external fossil fuels, and adopting concrete, actionable measures. “The exchange takes place ahead of the Commission’s forthcoming toolbox and will help shape swift, practical proposals, feeding into leaders’ discussions later this week,” the official said, referring to the package expected by the Commission on Wednesday.
Discussions are expected to focus on securing fuel supply, preserving connectivity across all modes of transport, and avoiding fragmented or uncoordinated national responses by member states.
While, as also underlined by the European Commission, the EU is not facing fuel shortages, rising prices particularly in aviation fuel, continue to put pressure on the sector. According to the Presidency, measures already taken by individual Member States highlight the need for a coordinated, proportionate and Single Market compatible European approach.
The meeting will be chaired on Tuesday morning by Cyprus' Minister of Transport, Communications and Works Alexis Vafeades, and will take place with the participation of European Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, Apostolos Tzitzikostas.
(Source: CNA)
