The EU aims to reduce its emissions by at least 55% of 1990 levels by 2030, through the Fit for 55 package.
“Finland has worked hard to ensure that the proposals concerning the transport of the package take into account the national special features of our country and leave enough room for national flexibility. In the negotiations, we have succeeded in taking several of the Commission’s proposals in the direction that Finland wants, Minister Harakka says.
The Council is expected to adopt a general approach on the so-called FuelEU maritime transport regulation. It aims to increase the use of renewable and low-carbon fuels in maritime transport. Finland has actively emphasized the importance of taking into account the competitiveness of maritime transport and the special conditions of winter shipping in the regulation.
“As most of Finland’s foreign trade is transported by sea, we have paid special attention to taking into account the costs of winter shipping. Long-term work on a broad front pays off, ”says Harakka.
The Council is working to adopt a general approach on a proposal for a regulation on alternative fuels infrastructure. The so-called AFIR regulation sets requirements for charging and refueling stations from 2025 onwards.
– We are currently planning how large the loading and refueling investments will be. As such, the standardized distances proposed by the European Commission were not suitable for us. A large, sparsely populated and low-traffic country needs flexibility, and Finland has managed to negotiate them in accordance with the proposal, “says Harakka.
The aim is to increase the use of renewable aviation fuels in aviation. ReFuel through the EU Aviation Regulation. The Council must adopt a general approach to this regulation. It is important for Finland that the operating conditions of air transport and the accessibility of the Member States are taken into account.
A general approach will be sought at the Environment Council on 28 June 2022 for some of the transport initiatives in the Fit for 55 package.
The Transport Council will also take note of the Presidency’s progress report and hold a policy debate on a proposal for a new regulation on Union guidelines for the development of the trans-European transport network. Finland considers it important that the Regulation leaves sufficient room for maneuver to the Member States in their national implementation. At the meeting, Finland emphasizes the importance of ports for Finland.
The Transport Council must also adopt a general approach to revising the ITS Directive on the deployment of Intelligent Transport Systems in the field of road transport. Finland considers it important that the importance of technology-neutral regulation is emphasized even more strongly in the directive.
EU ministers are working to reach a consensus on a proposal for a directive on stability requirements for ro-ro passenger ships. It lays down stability requirements for damaged ro-ro passenger ships.
Telecommunications ministers will discuss the digital and green transition
The Telecommunications Council takes note of the state of play of the Presidency’s progress reports on the Artificial Intelligence Act, the Data Act and the amendment of the eIDAS Regulation in order to strengthen the European digital identity framework.
In addition, the Council will hold a policy debate on the digital and green transition. Finland’s view is that a discussion on the synergies between the digital and green transition is welcome. It supports the goal of making the ICT sector’s own consumption of energy and resources sustainable for the environment and the climate.
Source: Ministry of Transport and Communications
Source: The Nordic Page