📋 Tender Overview
Elina Simina-Neverovska, Deputy State Secretary of the Ministry of Transport (MoT), is participating today in the meeting of the Council of Transport Ministers of the European Union (EU) in Brussels, Belgium, where, among other things, Latvias position will be expressed in connection with the planned amendments to the EU Directive regarding the improvement of the level of road traffic safety and the promotion of sustainable mobility. The agenda of the meeting will consider a number of important issues for the transport sector. One of the topics is the draft Directive, which provides for the maximum permissible dimensions and mass of certain vehicles used in the EU in domestic and international road transport. In this matter, Latvia will support the general approach. The draft directive provides clarifications regarding the maximum weight, length, width and height of heavy-duty (cargo) vehicles using zero-emission technologies, as they tend to increase the weight and dimensions of the vehicle. The changes provide that member states that allow European Modular Systems (EMS) on their territory will also be able to use them in international transport between neighboring countries without a bilateral agreement and without restrictions to cross only one border. This means that the same amount of cargo can be transported with fewer trips. In Latvias view, such a solution is a supportable and particularly positive strengthening of the cross-border bilateral principle between neighboring countries. The meeting will also consider the so-called , which aims to improve road safety in the EU by promoting sustainable mobility and facilitating the free movement of people and goods in the EU. One part of this package is the Directive on periodic roadworthiness tests for motor vehicles and their trailers and roadworthiness tests for commercial vehicles used in the EU. The draft Directive envisages amending two existing Directives regarding the minimum requirements for technical inspection content and recommended methods, inspection equipment and diagnostic equipment, the scope of technical inspections on the road, as well as the checklist report on the technical inspection on the road. Latvia will abstain from the vote on approving the general approach to technical inspections. We unequivocally support the goal of the EU proposal to promote the improvement of the road safety level, sustainable mobility, as well as the free movement of people and goods throughout the EU, at the same time we see significant obstacles in its practical application and the availability of appropriate equipment, explains Simina-Neverovska. She explains that Latvia will abstain in the vote and will base its vote on a declaration emphasizing that, in order to achieve the set goals, the Directive should provide for clear requirements that should be implemented in practice. Accordingly, Latvia believes that a longer transition and implementation period should be provided for the application of any new technical requirements, in order to ensure the implementation of the norms of a unified approach and to carefully evaluate the development of solutions before applying them to all member states, including taking into account the differences in the climate conditions of the member states. At the same time, it is also necessary to provide uniform deadlines for the introduction of norms, methods and equipment for technical inspections, both in inspection and control on the road. In Latvias opinion, the regulation of the temporary technical inspection certificate can also cause practical problems due to the lack of uniform criteria and validation. In addition, the meeting will also discuss the draft Directive on vehicle registration documents and vehicle registration data entered in national vehicle registers, which are also part of the . The draft directive envisages the introduction of general rules and requirements to be applied to vehicle registration certificates, in particular distinguishing between physical and mobile vehicle registration certificates, while mutually recognizing both versions of the certificates. In this matter, Latvia will support the general approach. Also, within the framework of the Council of Ministers, it is planned to review the issues of drones and balloons, taking into account their impact on airspace and safety, as well as challenges in the creation of high-power charging stations, taking into account the goals set by the AFIR regulation. The head of the Latvian delegation is the ambassador of the Permanent Representation of the Republic of Latvia to the European Union - Deputy Permanent Representative Reinis Brusbardis.
