Development of Community's railways (amend. Directive 91/440/EEC). Railway package

The Commission tried to take into account as much as possible the views of the European Parliament expressed during the first reading either by taking up the amendment in its exact wording and entirety or by amending its proposal in the spirit of the Pariament's view. The Commission notes that there are some differences between its proposal and the common position, in particular as regards the completion of the common market for rail transport services and the separation between infrastructure management and transport operations. The Commission is, however, of the opinion that the overall compromise found by the Council after intensive discussions and efforts of three of its Presidencies is a well-balanced step forward in railway policy. It will contribute to a sustainable development of this mode of transport. The Commission, furthermore, underlines that the completion of the single market for rail transport services must remain the final goal. The Commission is, nevertheless, convinced that this second step of reform of the legal framework for rail transport services represents an important step and, therefore, issues a positive opinion.�