EU Transport Council: Cyprus Leads Luxembourg Talks on Clean Fleets and Maritime Strategy
EU Council in Luxembourg to Discuss Issues Related to the Future of Transport
Transport Minister Alexis Vafeades and Shipping Deputy Minister Marina Hadjimanolis co-chair today's EU Transport Council in Luxembourg. High-stakes discussions center on transport decarbonization, corporate fleet transitions, and securing a competitive European maritime strategy.
The Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council (Transport) convenes on Monday in Luxembourg, with an agenda covering a range of issues related to the future of European transport. More specifically, the Council’s agenda includes the decarbonisation of transport, the clean transition of corporate fleets, as well as the European Union’s maritime industrial strategy.
The Council is chaired by the Minister of Transport, Communications and Works, Alexis Vafeades, and the Deputy Minister of Shipping, Marina Hadjimanolis. Arriving at the meeting, the Minister of Transport stated that among the key issues to be discussed are decarbonisation and the clean transition of corporate fleets.
He noted that Ministers will also examine the strategy for ports, railways, and military mobility, expressing the expectation that there will be an opportunity to discuss all major issues affecting the transport sector in the European Union.
Asked about negotiations on the reform of passenger rights, the Minister clarified that no negotiations with the European Parliament are planned within the framework of today’s meeting. As he said, work will take place within the framework of the Council of Ministers, while there will also be an opportunity for an exchange of views with the conciliation committee delegation in order to examine the issue as a whole. Invited to comment on the rejection by member states' ambassadors last Friday of the compromise reached with the European Parliament, he expressed hope that discussions with member states during the Council would help determine the next steps.
On her part, Deputy Minister of Shipping, Marina Hadjimanolis, stated that Ministers responsible for maritime affairs are called upon to approve the Council conclusions, which were proposed and presented by the European Commission in March 2026. She added that the aim is to send a strong and clear message that the European Union has a competitive and strong maritime sector.
