European Economic and Social Committee
TEN
Brussels, 14 October 2015
To the members of the
Section for Transport, Energy, Infrastructure and the Information Society
_______________________________________________________________
The secretary-general of the European Economic and Social Committee is pleased to enclose the
MINUTES
of the 148th meeting
of the
Section for Transport, Energy, Infrastructure and the Information Society
held at the Committee building in Brussels
on
31 August 2015
_____________
EESC-2015-04426-00-00-PV-TRA (EN) 1/13
Rue Belliard/Belliardstraat 99 — 1040 Bruxelles/Brussel — BELGIQUE/BELGIË
Tel. +32 25469011 — Fax +32 25134893 — Internet: http://www.eesc.europa.eu
EN
The Section for Transport, Energy, Infrastructure and the Information Society held its 148th meeting
at the Committee building in Brussels on 31 August 2015, beginning at 10.50 a.m. The meeting was
chaired by Mr Buffetaut, president.
ATTENDANCE LIST
PARTICIPANTS
Abildgaard, Ask Løvbjerg
Abrahamsson, Thomas
Adams, Richard
Agudo i Bataller, Joana
Almeida Freire, Pedro Augusto (Rule 62(3) from Lobo Xavier,
Gonçalo - TEN/571)
Present
Apologies
X
X
X
X
X
Anča, Gunta
Antoniou, Michalis
Back, Stefan
Balon, Krzysztof
Baráth, Etele
Barbadillo López, Rafael
Batut, Laure
Biermann, Egbert
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Bischoff, Gabriele (Rule 62(2) from Kattnig, Thomas)
Bredima, Anna
Buffetaut, Stéphane
Burada, Eugen Mircea
X
Buzek, Tanja
Caño Aguilar, Isabel
X
X
Carr, Liina
Cavero Mestre, Lourdes
X
X
Chwiluk, Andrzej
Cingal, Georges
X
X
Coldrick, Peter
Confalonieri, Roberto
X
X
X
X
X
X
Corey, John
Coulon, Pierre Jean
X
Cser, Ágnes
Csuport, Antal
X
X
Curtis, Brian
Danev, Bojidar
X
X
EESC-2015-04426-00-00-PV-TRA (EN) 2/13
Absent
X
Dantin, Gérard (Rule 62(2) from Polyzogopoulos, Christos)
Darmanin, Anna Maria
X
X
de Brauer, Philippe
Delapina, Thomas
X
X
Demelenne, Anne
Dittmann, Bernd
X
X
Drakopoulos, Georgios (Rule 62(3) from Antoniou, Michalis TEN/565)
Drbalová, Vladimíra
Farrugia, Vincent (Rule 62(2) from Bredima, Anna)
Fatovic, Emilio
Federspiel, Benedicte
Fornea, Dumitru
Fried, Joachim
Gavrilovs, Vitālijs
Ghoreishi, Amir (Rule 18 from Delapina, Thomas)
Gobiņš, Andris
Golini, Flora
Graf von Schwerin, Alexander
Gūtmanis, Andris (Rule 18 from Strautmanis, Gundars)
Hadjiysky, Lubomir
Hencks, Raymond
X
Hernández Bataller, Bernardo
Holst, Sif (Rule 18 from Abildgaard, Ask Løvbjerg )
Huvelin, Bernard
Ioniţă, Sorin
X
X
Iozia, Edgardo Maria
Iuliano, Giuseppe Antonio Maria (Rule 62(2) from Abrahamsson,
Thomas)
Ivaşcu, Minel
Jírovec, Ludvík
Joost, Meelis (Rule 62(2) from Federspiel, Benedicte)
X
X
Joris, Olivier (Rule 18 from Thomaes, Rudolf)
Kallio, Seppo
X
Kamieniecki, Krzysztof
Kargaard, Søren
X
Kattnig, Thomas
Kekeleki, Evangelia
Kinahan, Sally Anne
King, Brenda
EESC-2015-04426-00-00-PV-TRA (EN) 3/13
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Kittenis, Dimitris (Rule 62(2) from Hencks, Raymond)
Kliś, Tadeusz
Kokalov, Ivan
Krawczyk, Jacek
X
X
X
X
Krīgers, Pēteris
Krzaklewski, Marian
Kvedaraitė, Daiva
Ladefoged, Anders
Lambertz, Günter
Libaert, Thierry
Liolios, Nikolaos
Lobo Xavier, Gonçalo
Lohan, Cillian
Longo, Antonio
Lübberink, Werner (Rule 18 from Fried, Joachim)
Luca, Liviu (CESE)
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Machyna, Emil
Maciulevičius, Mindaugas
X
X
Mačiulis, Vitas
Maier, Ferdinand
X
X
Malinowski, Andrzej
Manoliu, Mihai
X
X
Manolov, Dimitar
Martinović Džamonja, Dragica
McDonogh, Thomas
Meier, Kurt Friedhelm (Rule 18 from Biermann, Egbert)
X
X
X
X
Mitov, Veselin (Rule 62(2) from Graf von Schwerin, Alexander)
Modrzejewski, Michal Grzegorz
X
X
Morgan, Peter
Morkis, Gintaras
Morrice, Jane
Nietyksza, Anna
X
X
X
X
Nilsson, Staffan
O'Donovan, Erik
X
Oravec, Ján (CESE)
Ostrowski, Krzysztof
X
X
Páleník, Viliam
Pavlikkas, Andreas
Peel, Jonathan
Pegado Liz, Jorge
X
X
X
X
EESC-2015-04426-00-00-PV-TRA (EN) 4/13
X
Petersen, Volker
Pezzini, Antonello
X
Pietkiewicz, Janusz (Rule 18 from Malinowski, Andrzej)
Pigal, Eric
X
X
Pintér, Michal
Plosceanu, Aurel Laurenţiu
X
X
Polica, Antonio
Polyzogopoulos, Christos
X
Preidienė, Inga
Ranocchiari, Virgilio
X
Raunemaa, Pirkko
Rebolj, Dušan
Ristelä, Pekka
Schröder, Ullrich
Sears, David
Sequeira, Victor Hugo
X
X
X
X
X
Sharma, Madi (Rule 62(2) from Wagener, Henri)
Siecker, Martin (Rule 62(2) from van Wezel, Annie)
X
X
Simons, Jan
Sirkeinen, Ulla
X
X
X
X
X
X
Stan, Sorin Cristian (Rule 18 from Luca, Liviu (CESE))
Stern, Juraj
X
Stoev, Georgi
Stojan, Dare
Strautmanis, Gundars
Taylor, Monica
X
Teder, Reet
Thomaes, Rudolf
X
Tiszbierek, Teresa
Topolánszky, Ákos
Trantina, Pavel
Vadász, Péter
X
X
X
van Wezel, Annie
Vardakastanis, Ioannis
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Vértes, János (Rule 62(2) from Petersen, Volker )
Vidan, Toni
X
Vrins, F.H. (Rule 18 from Simons, Jan)
Wagener, Henri
Wolf, Gerd
Zbořil, Josef
X
EESC-2015-04426-00-00-PV-TRA (EN) 5/13
X
X
X
X
Zvolská, Marie (Rule 62(2) from Manoliu, Mihai)
X
EXPERTS
Ballestero, François (rapporteur's expert Group II - TEN/565)
(rapporteur's expert Group II - TEN/569)
Boqvist, Per (rapporteur's expert Group I - TEN/575)
Present
X
Absent
Apologies
X
Maurer, Josef (expert Group II – TEN/569)
Salcedo Aznal, Alejandro (rapporteur's expert Group III - TEN/560)
(rapporteur's expert Group III - TEN/571)
Schulte-Strathaus, Ulrich (rapporteur's expert Group I - TEN/569)
X
X
Tilling, Cristine (rapporteur's expert Group II - TEN/575)
X
X
Commission
Ms Anania (DG CONNECT)
Mr Dussart (DG MOVE)
Mr Lagneaux (DG MOVE)
Ms Hübner (DG MOVE)
EESC secretariat
Ms Fular
Mr Giuffrida
Ms Paulinova
Mr Popescu
Mr Quental
Ms Ziecina
*
*
1.
*
Adoption of the draft agenda
Mr Buffetaut opened the 148th meeting and outlined the draft agenda.
2.
Approval of the minutes of the 147th meeting held on 16 June 2015 (EESC-2015-0342600-00-PV-TRA)
The minutes of the 147th section meeting were approved.
EESC-2015-04426-00-00-PV-TRA (EN) 6/13
3.
Opinion on Cyberactivism and civil society organisations - TEN/571 - Own-initiative opinion
- EESC 2015-01058-00-01-PA-TRA - rapporteur: Mr Hernández Bataller.
The president, Mr Buffetaut, gave the floor to the rapporteur, Mr Hernández Bataller. The
rapporteur presented the opinion, highlighting the collaborative and productive work
approach of the study group. In the debate, the following members took the floor: Ms Batut,
Mr Farrugia, Ms Holst, Mr Pegado Liz, Ms Raunema and Mr Sears. The main points
raised were as follows:



cyberactivism as a useful tool for reducing social and digital exclusion;
online consultation reinforcing and complementing traditional consultation methods is
crucial;
the need to clearly distinguish between the normal and non-destructive use of the internet
for a cause or objective, and other types of activities such as "hacktivism" or electronic
civil disobedience.
Mr Hernández Bataller reacted by affirming his agreement with the members' remarks, and
by pointing out that the opinion is in favour of fundamental rights of all people.
The draft opinion was put to vote and was adopted by 66 votes to 3 with 2 abstentions.
4.
Opinion on Social innovation, networking and digital communication - TEN/560 - Owninitiative opinion - EESC 2014-04902-00-06-PA-TRA - rapporteur: Mr Hernández Bataller.
The president, Mr Buffetaut, gave the floor to the rapporteur, Mr Hernández Bataller, who
presented the draft opinion underlining that the topic was transversal and concerned many
cross-cutting aspects. In this context he referred to the use of new ICTs, networking or digital
platforms as tools to facilitate social innovation and benefits in relation to various areas, e.g.
education, job creation, logistics and transport, social inclusion or participatory democracy.
In the debate the following members took the floor: Ms Agudo i Bataller, Mr Coulon,
Mr Longo and Ms Sirkeinen. The main points raised include:



The issue of education is particularly important as highlighted in the opinion; in particular
it is important to ensure that appropriate training is provided for young people so that they
are well prepared for the new high quality jobs.
The recommendation made in point 1.5 to monitor the implementation of the measures
that can help advance social innovation within the framework of the European Semester
is very pertinent.
The rapporteur successfully reflects the very different views represented in the study
group; the opinion represents an excellent example of the added value of Committee's
work.
EESC-2015-04426-00-00-PV-TRA (EN) 7/13


The objective of the opinion is to reach beyond what had been previously done on this
topic and look into social innovation as a tool in terms of achieving personal and common
societal goals.
It is crucial to ensure that the objectives of the Europe 2020 strategy are pursued in
agreement with gender equality and that women are integrated in the digital
communication, networking and technologies sector.
Ms Anania (from DG CONNECT) welcomed this EESC opinion and thanked the rapporteur
and the study group for their work.
In response to the points raised during the debate Mr Hernández Bataller replied that there
had been many contributions from the study group, often representing very different points of
view which posed a challenge in keeping the discussion and the opinion in balance and within
the defined lines.
The draft opinion was put to vote and was adopted by 61 votes to 4 with 8 abstentions.
5.
Opinion on The internal market of international road freight: social dumping and cabotage TEN/575 - Exploratory opinion requested by the Luxembourg presidency - EESC 201503722-00-00-PA-TRA - rapporteurs: Mr Back and Mr Hencks (represented by Ms
Demelenne)
The president, Mr Buffetaut, gave the floor to the rapporteur, Mr Back and to
Ms Demelenne. The rapporteurs presented the opinion and highlighted that it had been
drafted under considerable time pressure, as the opinion ought to be adopted in good time
before a conference to be organised with the Luxembourg Presidency of the Council. The
subject was of particular complexity as there is no legal definition of social dumping, and
members of the study group did not have a common understanding of it. The opinion
therefore breaks new ground by proposing an official definition of social dumping. According
to the rapporteurs, a key element in classifying an international road transport activity as
social dumping is its illegality; otherwise, it is a matter of competition. Tackling social
dumping is needed for social reasons (to ensure equal treatment of workers, e.g. equal pay for
equal work) but also to prevent the fragmentation of the internal market by securing a level
playing field for road transport operators.
In the ensuing debate, the following members took the floor: Ms Batut, Mr Coulon,
Mr Farrugia, Mr Fornea, Mr Hernández Bataller, Mr Krawczyk, Mr Maciulevicius,
Mr Morkis and Mr Pigal. The following issues were raised:


Drivers face a very high bureaucratic burden that needs to be addressed.
Legal requirement for resting periods for drivers cannot always be met; for example,
although hotel rooms are mandatory for that purpose, they are not always available.
EESC-2015-04426-00-00-PV-TRA (EN) 8/13






The European Commission should clearly define social dumping; the EESC definition
can be used as guidance. Some members were already of the opinion that social dumping
is imprecise and a better wording would be "atypical employment conditions". At the
same time, it was also mentioned that definition issues shall not deter policy-making.
Competitiveness in the internal transport market must be guaranteed.
First and foremost there is a need to know to what extent social dumping exists and how
widespread it is. The opinion should contain more facts, which will apparently be made
available by a report soon to be published by a recognised consultancy firm. However, it
was also mentioned that the Luxembourg Presidency required the EESC's opinion despite
any data shortcomings. Absence of data should not therefore prevent the EESC from
adopting a reasoned political stance on the matter.
Initial positions in the study group were very far apart. The opinion became more
balanced but some members revealed the intention of tabling amendments at the plenary.
Different cost structures in haulage companies must not be considered social dumping:
they are a sign of a functioning and competitive internal market. In this respect, data
shows that wage differences between Eastern and Western Europe countries have been
diminishing.
There should be no stigmatisation between Western and Eastern Europe. It was stated
notably that 25% of international road freight is carried out by Polish firms, which have
invested vast amounts of money to achieve those results. Some members were therefore
of the opinion that the focus on social dumping is a vested way for Western European
companies to fight those highly competitive firms from Eastern Europe.
The amendments were discussed as follows:









amendment to point 1.3, tabled by Mr Pigal, was rejected (14 votes in favour, 37 against,
and 1 abstention);
compromise amendment to points 1.4 and 1.5, initially tabled by Mr Pigal, was accepted;
compromise amendment to point 1.7, initially tabled by Mr Pigal, was accepted;
compromise amendment to point 1.8, initially tabled by Ms Drbalová, was accepted; the
corrigendum on the same point was also accepted;
amendment to point 1.9, tabled by Mr Pigal, was accepted; the corrigendum on the same
point was also accepted;
compromise amendment to point 1.10 as amended by the corrigendum, initially tabled by
Mr Simons, was accepted; the corrigendum on the same point was therefore replaced by
the compromise amendment;
amendment to point 1.11, tabled by Mr Pigal, was rejected (17 votes in favour,
37 against, and 2 abstentions);
amendment to point 2.3, tabled by Mr Pigal, as well as the identical corrigendum, were
accepted;
corrigendum to point 2.4 was accepted;
EESC-2015-04426-00-00-PV-TRA (EN) 9/13








compromise amendment to point 2.5, initially tabled by Mr Pigal, was accepted (37 votes
in favour, 21 against, and 3 abstentions);
corrigendum adding point 2.6 was accepted;
compromise amendment to point 3.4, initially tabled by Ms Drbalová, was accepted;
corrigendum to point 3.6 was accepted;
the two amendments to point 4.1, tabled by Mr Pigal, were rejected (first amendment: 27
votes in favour, 28 against, and 8 abstentions; second amendment: 24 votes in favour, 33
against, and no abstentions); the corrigendum on the same point was accepted;
amendment to point 4.2, tabled by Mr Pigal, was rejected (22 votes in favour, 37 against,
and 3 abstentions); the corrigendum on the same point was accepted;
compromise amendment to point 4.3, initially tabled by Mr Pigal, was accepted;
amendment to point 4.8, tabled by Mr Pigal, was rejected (15 votes in favour, 34 against,
and 8 abstentions).
The accordingly amended draft opinion was put to the vote and was adopted by 42 votes to
9 with 6 abstentions.
6.
Opinion on Integrated EU Aviation Policy - TEN/569 - Exploratory opinion requested by the
Commission - EESC 2015-01083-00-01-PA-TRA - rapporteur: Mr Krawczyk.
The rapporteur, Mr Krawczyk, outlined the importance of the aviation sector in the EU
economy and the main challenges that the airlines are facing in a highly competitive
environment. He also highlighted the need to take advantage of the strengths of the industry
and maximise the potential of a strong EU aviation value chain. The missing link in achieving
a fully integrated aviation policy is a coherent and well-defined vision for the European
aviation sector that benefits both businesses and passengers. The rapporteur concluded by
drawing attention to points 1.8 and 1.9 of the opinion, which recommend that the European
Commission consults the EESC on the implementation of the aviation strategy and call for
strong political leadership from the Commission along with stakeholders' full commitment.
The following members took the floor in the debate: Ms Batut, Mr Coulon, Mr McDonogh
and Mr Pezzini. The main points raised included:





The competitiveness of EU aviation hubs is hindered by heavy taxation, compared to nonEU airports.
The cost effectiveness of the European ATM network is too high.
There is a strong link between airport connectivity and economic growth.
One stop security, the concept of screening people for prohibited items at the beginning
of their journey only, should be implemented as soon as possible.
The digital aspects and the potential of new fuels should be further explored by the
aviation industry.
EESC-2015-04426-00-00-PV-TRA (EN) 10/13





The Sectoral Social Dialogue Committee should be involved not only at plenary level but
also in working groups.
The implementation of aviation legislation and policies could be further assessed by the
EESC through the newly created evaluation framework.
The impact of the free trade agreements and digitalisation on industry and passengers
should be further investigated.
Passengers and their level of satisfaction should be addressed in more detail.
Further clarification is needed regarding point 1.8 – how the Commission will consult the
EESC and what the Committee's role would be in the implementation of the aviation
strategy.
In his response, the rapporteur agreed that taxation should be further discussed in the
framework of economic sustainability. He also mentioned that the EU has a solid legal
framework on passenger protection, that regulations should be applied consistently and that
the most important priority for digitalisation is actually the implementation of SESAR.
The draft opinion was then put to the vote and was adopted by 81 votes in favour with one
abstention.
7.
Opinion on Social dumping in the European civil aviation sector - TEN/565 - Own-initiative
opinion - EESC 2015-00417-00-01-PA-TRA - rapporteur: Ms Demelenne
The president, Mr Buffetaut, gave the floor to the rapporteur, Ms Demelenne. The
rapporteur presented the opinion, stating that the aviation sector employs 2.6 million people in
the EU and that the fight against social dumping is a legitimate fight to make sure that the
sector remains economically sustainable. Although there is no legal definition of social
dumping, the term was recognised by the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) in
the Laval judgement. Social dumping is about distortion of competition and is a result of
legislation not being implemented. The proposals in the opinion are a necessary first step
towards improving the situation.
Mr Back and Mr Krawczyk took the floor in the debate, making the following points:



Social dumping in aviation is not about safety but about a new culture emerging among
some relatively new airlines which do not respect the standards and norms that have been
long-established.
The opinion should be endorsed because it will stimulate debate and further raise
awareness of this issue.
The text is well balanced and the study group's work had resulted in good compromises.
The president opened the discussions about the proposed amendments and compromises.
Three written amendments had been tabled by Mr Simons concerning points 1.1 and 1.2.
EESC-2015-04426-00-00-PV-TRA (EN) 11/13
Compromises had been agreed on two of the amendments, while the third had been rejected
and subsequently withdrawn. The compromises were read and adopted.
The amendments submitted by Mr Krawczyk to points 1.4, 1.5, 2.5, 3.3 and 4.5 were
accepted by the rapporteur. The following compromise on an amendment to point 1.9 tabled
by Mr Krawczyk was put to vote and accepted by 42 votes in favour with 3 votes against and
1 abstention: "The EESC will launch a separate internal work to complete the social issues
raised in this opinion". Compromises were also adopted for points 2.1 and 2.2, following
amendments submitted by Mr Krawczyk.
The draft opinion thus amended was put to the vote and was adopted by 50 votes in favour
with one abstention.
8.
The section confirmed the work organisation set out below (letter of written procedure of
8 July 2015):

The internal market of international road freight: social dumping and cabotage – exploratory
opinion requested by the Luxembourg presidency – TEN/575 – (A15)
GROUP I
GROUP II
GROUP III
Mr Back, Rapp.
Mr Corey
Mr Hernandez Bataller, Pres.
Ms Drbalová (Rule 62 - Mr Mr Coulon
Mr Jirovec
Zboril)
Mr Fornea
Mr Maciulevicius
Mr Krawczyk
Mr Hencks, rapp.
Mr Pigal
Mr Morkis
Ms Kvedaraite
Ms Tiszbierek (Rule 62 - Mr
Mr Simons
Trantina)
9.








Activities of the section president and members
Ms Rondinelli, Mr Confalonieri and Mr Schröder attended the Smart-City Tour – Europe
introductory session and EXPO’s Tour, in Milan (IT) on 13 June 2015.
Mr Buffetaut attended the general assembly of the Thomas More Institute, in Brussels on 17 June
2015.
Ms Nietyksza attended the event on Strengthening Data Protection Standards in Europe, in
Brussels on 18 June 2015.
Mr Pezzini attended the conference on Comfort Technology organised by Università degli Studi
di Catania (IT) on 18 June 2015.
Mr Buffetaut, attended the conference on How to finance sustainable economy, in Paris (FR) on
18 June 2015.
Mr Back, President of PSG IWPT, attended the TEN-T Days 2015 in Riga, (LT), on 22 and
23 June 2015.
Mr Adams attended the Eurogas General Assembly in Berlin (DE) on 26 June 2015.
Mr Adams attended the third European Nuclear Safety Conference, in Brussels on 29 and 30 June
2015.
EESC-2015-04426-00-00-PV-TRA (EN) 12/13












10.
Mr Balon, Mr Hencks and Ms Angelova (president and members of the PSG on SGI,
respectively) attended a meeting with MEP Denanot, in Brussels on 30 June 2015.
Mr Coulon attended the Union Energy Conference organised by Genshagen Foundation in Berlin
on 2 July 2015.
Mr Coulon attended the Board of ELISAN and the ELISAN conference on Fighting against the
non-use: a European challenge, in Marseille (FR) on 3 July 2015.
Mr Pezzini gave a speech about energy at the inauguration of a green house in Zogno (Bergamo,
IT) on 3 July 2015.
Ms Nietyksza attended as speaker at the Eurocloud and Cloud Expo, in Paris (FR) on 7 and 8 July
2015.
Mr Simons rapporteur of TEN/305, attended the TRAN Committee meeting in Brussels (EP) on
13 July 2015.
Ms Nietyksza attended the conference on Challenges of the digital transition and training of the
work-force: role of the social dialogue, in Brussels on 15 July 2015.
Mr Coulon attended as speaker the summer Training on COP21, in Brussels on 17 July 2015.
Mr Pezzini, attended as speaker the conference How to implement energy efficiency projects in
the AP: FTT, EPC and MEPA, in Palermo and Messina (IT) on 21 and 22 July 2015.
Mr Pezzini, attended two Going Local conferences, in Palermo and Catania (IT) on 28 and
29 July 2015.
Ms Darmanin, the rapporteur for TEN/558, attended a meeting with Mr Chatzimpiros of Islands
Commission CPMR, in Brussels on 30 July 2015.
Mr Buffetaut and Mr Hencks (rapporteur for TEN/484 - Issues with defining social housing)
attended the conference The interviews of d'INXAUSETA, in Bunus (FR) on 28 August 2015 as
speakers.
The 149th section meeting will be held on 24 November 2015 starting at 10 a.m.
The agenda will include the following opinions:


Digital Single Market Strategy for Europe – TEN/574 – Mr Hencks, Mr Morgan
E-freight communication - TEN/563 – Mr Back, Ms Darmanin.
_____________
EESC-2015-04426-00-00-PV-TRA (EN) 13/13