Geen akkoord over Europees rijbewijs (en)

EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS - EU transport ministers failed yesterday (27 June) to reach agreement on a proposed new EU-wide credit card-shaped driving license.

A compromise proposal had been hammered out between the European Commission and the European Parliament in February, but a political agreement between EU transport chiefs was "impossible", according to Luxemburg's transport Minister, Lucien Lux, who chaired the meeting.

The EU licence would have been "a symbol of European citizenship" and "one stone in the building of the edifice of good road safety", the minister added.

According to Luxembourg presidency sources, the countries who opposed the proposal were Germany, France, Poland and Austria.

Under the scheme, the EU driving license would be phased in over 20 years, gradually replacing the 110 existing formats in the union.

Made of plastic and shaped like a credit card, the new license would include a chip with information concerning the holder's driving record.

Licences would be valid for ten years for cars and motorcycle drivers and for five years for trucks and buses.

Air traffic controller's license

Aiming higher than roads, ministers approved a commission proposal on an EU air traffic controllers' license however.

Controllers will now be able to work across the EU with mutually-recognised permits, based on common training standards and the use of English as a working language.

According to the Luxemburg presidency, the creation of such a license is the last stage in the building of a single EU sky.

A possible opening-up of the EU-US air carrier market was also discussed in the council.

Despite six formal transatlantic meetings having being held on the subject since the commission got its mandate in 2003, talks have stalled lately.

Washington's refusal to allow EU carriers to fly domestic routes in US airspace and the distraction of last year's presidential elections were the main reason for lack of progress.

Transport commissioner Jacques Barrot i said in the wake of the recent meeting that an agreement will have to be worked out "step by step".