Press Release: European rail market: Commission takes 10 Member States to the Court

The European Commission has decided to pursue infringement proceedings against ten Member States that have not yet communicated their national implementing measures to transpose two key directives of the so-called "second railway package". These directives aim to ensure high levels of safety and interoperability for rail business across Europe. Jacques Barrot, Vice-President of the Commission in charge of transport, said : "A certain level of harmonisation in technical and safety requirements is essential to ensure the level playing field necessary for the good and fair functioning of the rail internal market. It is now essential that all the conditions are put in place by the Member States to allow a fair, open and safe market for rail transport to emerge."