| s-301
| It aims at the heart of the matter, as Agenda 2000 negotiations have reached a critical stage. |
| s-302
| The issue is the financing of EU enlargement. |
| s-303
| We are now fighting over who is going to pay for it. |
| s-304
| I speak on behalf of the British Labour Members on that major area of dissent. |
| s-305
| At the moment, Germany has a massive surplus in its balance of trade with the rest of the Union, something like 25 billion. |
| s-306
| Firstly, does the total amount of Community budget receipts cover the current requirement of the European Union? |
| s-307
| How much further do you want it to fall? |
| s-308
| Let us just reflect on the fact that, without a common agricultural policy, there would be no European Union today. |
| s-309
| We therefore had to meet these two fundamental objectives and I sincerely believe that we are close to achieving this. |
| s-310
| Some merely refer to purely linguistic and formal aspects. |
| s-311
| We transport politicians always try to be precise, without letting things get out of hand. |
| s-312
| During the conciliation procedure the Commission, indeed you, Commissioner, declared that a proposal on seaports would be on the table immediately. |
| s-313
| There are two other points I would like to address. |
| s-314
| Then there is the famous project No-8 of the 14 very important projects endorsed by the Essen summit. |
| s-315
| We have worked on the networks too long for this to happen. |
| s-316
| That is what I want to talk about today. |
| s-317
| I admit that, Commissioner, and also thank the Commission for improving its proposal compared to the original text. |
| s-318
| We need a brief report summarising the experience gained and a clear review. |
| s-319
| A very clear and accurate analysis of both Mediterranean and non-Mediterranean ports is required. |
| s-320
| That makes sense because the viability of infrastructure investments obviously depends on competitive revenue-raising services and competitive services clearly need quality infrastructure. |
| s-321
| Amendment No-6 makes more radical changes to the guideline maps, adding new links and creating new categories of ports. |
| s-322
| All I would regret was his prolonged absence from this House. |
| s-323
| This, however, is not the proposal before the House. |
| s-324
| That he always gets, whether he likes it or not. |
| s-325
| Thank you, Mr Kinnock. |
| s-326
| There is much talk of privatisation and liberalisation. |
| s-327
| But privatisation does not even come into question in this context, it is not being proposed. |
| s-328
| It is up to the railway undertakings to decide whether to do so more in the form of cooperation or of competition. |
| s-329
| I believe the Commission has done a very good job in many cases. |
| s-330
| Each country should continue to be able to regulate this as it wishes in its area of jurisdiction. |
| s-331
| Personally, I should like to see a number of other requirements deleted. |
| s-332
| Consequently, the proposals could, in practice, produce the opposite effect to that intended and become an obstacle to increased competition. |
| s-333
| Many countries and regions are worried, and perhaps with reason. |
| s-334
| But the opportunity for the renaissance of the railways is at hand, and that is what we should strive for. |
| s-335
| Compared with my own objectives, I do not think the demands made by either of them are tough enough. |
| s-336
| Mr President, here too I must congratulate the two rapporteurs. |
| s-337
| But there are a few facts that we must face. |
| s-338
| I do not agree with him at all. |
| s-339
| How can we license individual operators if we do not make that separation? |
| s-340
| Why do we say that? |
| s-341
| Firstly, the amendment of the concept of authorised applicants which allows any natural or legal person to request infrastructure capacity. |
| s-342
| We all know that the market share of the railways has declined in recent years. |
| s-343
| My group welcomes that opportunity and supports the Commission and our rapporteurs in their efforts to secure a future for Europe's railways. |
| s-344
| Both the reports before us today represent further necessary steps along the same road. |
| s-345
| If rail is to have real vitality, then rail is going to have to change. |
| s-346
| It results in a less clear definition and is, in our view, an unnecessary change. |
| s-347
| I have great sympathy with the view that Community legislation should not be over-prescriptive. |
| s-348
| There are a number of key points that I would like to address before concluding. |
| s-349
| It will encourage them to place greater reliance on this mode of transport. |
| s-350
| They have to make a stronger commitment to rail. |
| s-351
| I conclude by thanking both rapporteurs, |
| s-352
| I hope that the whole House will endorse their constructive approach. |
| s-353
| So there is no question of closing down, there is a question of the practical discretion of the committee. |
| s-354
| We will meet that commitment. |
| s-355
| The vote will take place tomorrow at 12 noon. |
| s-356
| Perhaps it is especially important, however, to define in precise terms the responsibility that city will have to assume. |