White Paper on ‘European transport policy for 2010: time to decide’

Summary:

Communication published by the European Commission in September 2001 setting out a vision for the future of the European Union's transport policy.

Further information:

An earlier White Paper published in 1992 focused on the opening-up of transport markets. The present one highlights that the objective was largely achieved, except for the rail sector.

The White Paper - adopted by the European Commission on 12 September 2001 - includes some 60 measures aimed at refocusing 'Europe's transport policy on the demands and needs of its citizens' over the following ten years. This document seeks to curb the demand for transport and to break the link between economic and transport growth. This was seen as a response to the conclusions of the European Council held in June 2001. The White Paper envisages a sustainable transport system evolving over the following 30 years, but also  outlines the difficulties which have to be overcome on the way.

The Communication is divided into four parts:

1. Shifting the balance between modes of transport
2. Eliminating the bottlenecks
3. Placing users at the heart of transport policy
4. Managing the globalisation of transport

A mid-term review of this Strategy was launched by the European Commission in 2005.

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Commentary and Analysis

European Voice, 16/05/2001: Striking the right balance between EU’s roads, trains boats and planes https://www.politico.eu/article/striking-the-right-balance-between-eus-roads-trains-boats-and-planes/

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News

European Voice, 16/05/2001: Future of transport at crossroads https://www.politico.eu/article/future-of-transport-at-crossroads-as/

European Voice, 30/05/2001: Green groups put dent in De Palacio’s transport paper https://www.politico.eu/article/green-groups-put-dent-in-de-palacios-transport-paper/

EurActiv, 13/07/2005: Ari Vatanen slams 'utopian' EU transport policy https://www.euractiv.com/section/transport/news/ari-vatanen-slams-utopian-eu-transport-policy/

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Official

European Commission: DG Mobility and Transport: White paper – ‘European transport policy for 2010: time to decide’ https://ec.europa.eu/transport/themes/strategies/2001_white_paper_en

European Commission: Press Release, 12/09/2001: A transport policy for Europe's citizens http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-01-1263_en.htm

Committee of the Regions: Opinion on the White Paper 'European Transport Policy for 2010: time to decide' [March 2002] http://publications.europa.eu/publication/catalogue_number/GF-HA-02-002-EN-C

Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency: Report, July 2005: Effectiveness of the EU White paper: 'European transport policy for 2010' https://www.pbl.nl/en/publications/2005/EffectivenessOfTheEUWhitePaperEuropeanTransportPolicyFor2010

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