On Tuesday late afternoon the negotiators of the European Parliament and the Council of Ministers concluded on an agreement to the Stop-the-clockproposal of the European Commission. This means that the proposal can enter into force with the necessary amendments before 30th April. Already back in 2008 the European Union agreed to include aviation in the EU-ETS. The decision was unanimous in Council and with a big a majority of more than 90 percent in the European Parliament. There is a huge opposition against the legislation from third countries, but the European Union reaffirms again in this agreement that the legislation is there to stay.
Read more: Aviation Emissions: Parliament achieves significant improvement of Commission proposal
Today, Dr. Peter Liese (EPP), the European Parliament's rapporteur on the European Commission's so called Stopping the Clock proposal presented his draft report which now goes into the parliamentary procedure. "In principle I welcome the Commission proposal and recommend a quick adoption, but some points need to be clarified", Liese stated.
Read more: Stopping the Clock for aviation under the EU-ETS not longer than one year!
The European Parliament's Environment Committee voted with a huge majority for the Stop the Clock Proposal of the European Commission concerning Emissions Trading for Aviation. The vote has been prepared in cooperation with the Parliament's Transport Committee so that it reflects a broad majority of all concerned committees.
"The proposal for a tobacco product directive presented by Commissioner Tonio Borg today is balanced. It foresees important improvement for health but exaggerated ideas have not been included", said Peter Liese and Richard Seeber, the co-coordinators of the EPP Group for environment and health. "Commissioner Tonio Borg has kept his word. He tabled the new draft directive even sooner than announced in the hearing. This is important for the credibility of the EU Institutions and also important because it enables us to have a comprehensive debate and a full procedure including a vote in plenary before the European election".