Szabolcs Takács, Minister of State for EU Affairs at the Prime Minister’s Office had talks with EU Commissioner for Transport Violeta Bulc on 19 September 2017.
The Mobility Package for Road Transport published by the European Commission on 31 May 2017 was at the centre of the meeting. Mr Takács voiced concern on account of the fact that the Commission suggested the management of the regulatory deficiencies that currently exist in the area of the road transport market in a way which is extremely disadvantageous for the hauliers of the Central-Eastern-European region. In our view, during the course of the implementation of our social objectives, we cannot disregard economic and competitiveness criteria. The internal market is one of the greatest achievements of the EU, and it is the only means to ensure the EU’s international competitiveness, the Minister of State established.
The Minister of State said that the V4 countries are collectively opposed to the extension of the rules of the Posted Workers Directive to the road transport sector. We must avoid a situation where this politically sensitive issue concerning the functioning of the internal market should drive yet another wedge between the Member States.
Violeta Bulc appeared to be open to the Hungarian arguments, and supported the idea of reaching a compromise which is equally acceptable for all Member States concerned and industry players.
The Commissioner and the Minister of State agreed that fair operating conditions must be provided for legally functioning businesses on the internal market, while the intensification of the fight against fraud and abuse continues to remain a common goal.