Alpine Convention (1991): implementation in the field of transport. Transport Protocol

PURPOSE: the conclusion, on behalf of the European Union, of the Protocol on the Implementation of the Alpine Convention in the field of Transport (Transport Protocol).

NON-LEGISLATIVE ACT: Council Decision 2013/332/EU on the conclusion on behalf of the European Union of the Protocol on the implementation of the 1991 Alpine Convention in the field of transport (Transport protocol).

BACKGROUND: the Convention on the protection of the Alps (Alpine Convention) was concluded on behalf of the European Community by the Council by Decision 96/191/EC.

The Council decided on the signature, on behalf of the Community, of the Protocol on the implementation of the 1991 Alpine Convention in the field of transport (Transport protocol) by Decision 2007/799/EC.

The Transport protocol provides a framework, based on the precautionary principle, the preventive principle and the polluter-pays principle, for ensuring sustainable mobility and protection of the environment, in the Alpine region in the light of the Alpine Convention.

It is now appropriate to approve the Transport protocol on behalf of the European Union.

CONTENT: by means of this Decision, the Protocol on the Implementation of the 1991 Alpine Convention in the field of transport is approved on behalf of the European Union.

Objectives of the Protocol:

• to reduce the volume of and dangers posed by intra-Alpine and trans-Alpine traffic, in particular by transferring more traffic, especially freight traffic, to the railways, especially by providing appropriate infrastructure and incentives complying with market principles;
• to ensure intra-Alpine and trans-Alpine traffic at economically bearable costs by increasing the effectiveness of the transport systems and promoting the modes of transport which are most environmentally-friendly and most economic in terms of natural resources; and to ensure fair competition between the modes of transport.

Consistency with European transport policy: the provisions of the Transport protocol are in line with the Union's Common Transport Policy and fully support the Commission's "Greening Transport" approach adopted in 2008.

The ratification of the Transport protocol would strengthen trans-border cooperation with those countries which are not members of the Union, namely Liechtenstein, Monaco and Switzerland, which would help to ensure that the goals of the Union are shared by regional partners and that such initiatives cover the whole Alpine region.

ENTRY INTO FORCE: the Decision enters into force on 18.07.2013.