Council go-ahead for third railway package respects Parliament’s signals

The Council of the European Union on 22 October 2007 approved three conciliation agreements on the third railway package, ending a legislative process begun in 2004. The agreements, on the opening up of the rail market, a European licence for train drivers and rail passengers' rights, were struck in June, after the Council agreed to an EP demand for a five-yearly review of any exemptions that Member States grant domestic railways from the passenger rights rules. Parliament adopted the same text in plenary on 25 September 2007