Confirmation hearings of the Commissioners-designate: Apostolos Tzitzikostas – Transport and Tourism

Table of Contents

• Apostolos Tzitzikostas 1
• Transport and Tourism 1
• Confirmation hearing due to be held on Monday 4 November, at 18.30. 1
• European Parliament committee responsible: Transport and Tourism (TRAN) 1
• Apostolos Tzitzikostas has been First Vice-President of the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) since 2022. Having joined the CoR in 2015, he served as its President from 2020 to 2022. 1
• Governor of the Central Macedonia Region since 2014, Tzitzikostas has been president of the Association of Greek Regions since November 2019. 1
• From 2010 to 2014, Tzitzikostas served as the deputy regional governor for the Central Macedonia Region and head of the Thessaloniki Metropolitan Area. 1
• From 2007 to 2009, Tzitzikostas was a member of the Greek Parliament with the Nea Demokratia Party (EPP). 1
• Born in 1978, Tzitzikostas graduated in government and international relations at Georgetown University, Washington DC, in 2000. He then earned a master's degree in European Public Policy and Economics from University College London. 1
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• This is one of a set of briefings designed to give an overview of issues of interest relating to the portfolios of the Commissionersdesignate. All these briefings can be found at: https://epthinktank.eu/commissioner_hearings_2024. 1
• Fundamentals of the portfolio 2
• Transport enables the free movement of people across the EU and beyond, and contributes to cohesion and competitiveness within the internal market. It accounts for about 5 % of the EU's gross domestic product (GDP) and therefore has an important influence on economic growth and employment. Some 10.2 million people are directly employed in the sector. Transport emissions, currently at around 25 % of total EU greenhouse gas emissions, are on the increase. 2
• Dating back to the Treaty of Rome, European transport policy has evolved significantly over time, expanding to encompass various new aspects such as technical advancements, fuel sources, transport networks and funding. While transport policy is one of the EU's first common policy areas, the implementation of EU legislation and concrete measures in the Member States lies with the competent national, regional and local authorities. A milestone in EU transport policy was the 2011 strategy, seeking to develop a single European transport area, reduce the EU's dependence on imported fossil fuels, cut CO2 emissions in transport by 60 % by 2050 and modernise the transport system. However, these objectives fell short of the targets set during the December 2015 Climate Conference in Paris (COP21). As a result, the Commission adopted an action plan – the European Green Deal. In December 2020, the Commission published its sustainable and smart mobility strategy, designed to make the EU's transport system more sustainable, digital and resilient, in line with the European Green Deal and the EU's digital strategy. In December 2022, the Council outlined the European agenda for tourism 2030, a comprehensive programme covering the green and digital transition, resilience, inclusion, skills and support, the relevant policy framework and governance. 2
• Priorities and challenges 2
• Expectations/public opinion 2
• A Eurobarometer survey on passenger rights, published in July 2024, shows that the use of transport services in the EU has decreased slightly compared with 2019 figures (73 % versus 74 %), especially in air transport (4 %) and road transport (-2 %). Awareness of passenger rights is most widespread for rail transport (33 %), followed by air transport (30 %). Some 47 % of rail passengers had experienced at least one disruption in their journey during the previous 12 months, mostly due to departure delays; this was 9 % more than in 2019. For air travellers, these disruptions account for 30 % of their journeys, 2 % more than in 2019. 2
• In a survey on the digitalisation of travel documents, published in September 2023, 68 % of EU citizens polled were in favour of using digital travel documents for extra-Schengen travel, and 66 % would prefer to use a single application for digital travel documents at EU level, rather than one for each Member State. 2
• In her political guidelines for the new Commission, President-elect Ursula von der Leyen stated that the new Commission will prioritise investment in clean energy infrastructure and technologies, including transport infrastructure and the deployment of a hydrogen network. Another focus will be a strengthened cohesion and growth policy, especially in remote regions. The success of this policy will depend greatly on reforms and investment in transport and digital connectivity. Through the Global Gateway initiative, the EU intends to invest in transport corridors, ports, renewable energy generation and green hydrogen production to help developing countries. 2
• The European Council's 2024-2029 strategic agenda states that, on the path towards climate neutrality by 2050, enhanced electrification using all net-zero- and low-carbon solutions, and investment in grids, storage and interconnections are required, especially in transport. 2
• According to the mission letter outlining his responsibilities, Tzitzikostas will have to ensure that the missing parts of the trans-European transport network (TEN-T) are built by 2030, along with the swift deployment of charging infrastructure with harmonised charging fees and payment methods. The Commission is to submit plans for a high-speed rail network connecting EU Member State capitals and a comprehensive EU port strategy. Moreover, Tzitzikostas will have to ensure that the EU transport system is further digitalised through the deployment of intelligent transport systems, smart mobility solutions and the European rail traffic management system (ERTMS). To this end, strong transport connections have to be made with neighbouring regions, and a comprehensive dialogue has to be started to address inefficiencies within the Single European Sky. By the end of 2025, the Commission is required to publish a first progress report on the European declaration on cycling. Transport security, including cybersecurity, needs to be reinforced, necessitating cooperation with the Commissioner for Defence to ensure smooth continent-wide military mobility. 2
• Decarbonisation efforts should be enhanced through a sustainable transport investment plan and proposals for clean corporate fleets. The single market for transport services has to be strengthened, and there is a need for a regulation on single digital booking and ticketing, allowing the use of one ticket during a multimodal trip. The EU automotive sector needs an industrial action plan, and the maritime manufacturing sector needs a new industrial strategy. Regarding future means of transportation, the use of cutting-edge technologies, such as Hyperloop, should be explored. The social dimension of transport – including transport poverty, access in rural areas, as well as skilled worker shortages – should also be addressed. Finally, a resilient and competitive tourism sector should be developed, in line with the EU agenda for tourism 2030. 3
• European Parliament 3
• Treaty basis and European Parliament competence 3
• Article 4(2)(g) (Title I) and Articles 90 to 100 (Title VI) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union cover transport; and Article 4(2)(h) (Title I) and Articles 170 to 172 (Title XVI) deal with trans-European networks (TEN-T). The EU shares competence with the Member States in the area of transport and the TENT. As the ordinary legislative procedure applies to both areas, the Council and Parliament act as co-legislators. 3
• Parliament was a co-legislator for the European Climate Law and the 'fit for 55' initiative. During the legislative process relating to the Green Deal, such as on the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure (AFIR) and RefuelEU Aviation Regulations, Parliament succeeded in raising the Commission's initial targets. 3
• Parliament has influenced policymaking on transport through several own-initiative resolutions. In its 2020 resolution on the Green Deal, Parliament called for a more comprehensive urban mobility plan to reduce congestion and improve liveability in towns and cities. This included support for zeroemission public transport, and cycling and walking infrastructure. In May 2023, Parliament's own-initiative resolution on urban mobility urged Member States to develop safe, accessible, affordable, smart, resilient and sustainable urban transport systems. It also called for their financial, fiscal and regulatory support to help transport providers and users transition to these systems. 3
• Parliament also played an important role in promoting healthy and green transport options. On 31 January 2023, Parliament adopted its first resolution dedicated exclusively to cycling, calling on the Commission to develop an EU cycling strategy to maximise the potential of cycling as a fullfledged transport mode. This call was successful, and on 2 April 2024 the Commission, the Council and Parliament signed the European declaration on cycling. 3
• Recent developments 3
• To meet the Green Deal goal of making Europe the first climate-neutral continent by 2050, transport-related emissions must be cut by 90 % by 2050. This can be achieved by replacing fossil fuels with alternative fuels such as electricity or biofuels and by changing habits and transitioning to greener mobility alternatives. The Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR) sets mandatory targets for the deployment of alternative fuels infrastructure (electric charging and hydrogen refuelling stations) in the EU, for road vehicles, vessels and stationary aircraft. The RefuelEU Aviation Directive sets minimum obligations for fuel suppliers to gradually increase the share of advanced biofuels and synthetic aviation fuels in the fuel supplied to operators at EU airports, following a set timetable. Additionally, the FuelEU Maritime Regulation imposes increasingly strict limits on the carbon intensity of energy used by vessels starting in 2025, requiring them to use alternative fuels. 3
• The sustainable and smart mobility strategy and action plan lay the foundations to enable the EU transport system to achieve its green and digital transformation and become more resilient to future crises. The action plan lists 10 flagships and 82 initiatives, including revision of the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) Regulation, with the ultimate goal of closing gaps, removing bottlenecks and technical barriers, and strengthening social, economic and territorial cohesion in the EU. The reshaped TEN-T network will serve both military and civilian purposes. The 2021-2027 multiannual EU budget extended the operation of the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) – the EU's funding programme supporting the development of transport, energy, and digital infrastructure across trans-European networks. Recently adopted, the new Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) Directive aims to establish interoperable and seamless ITS services across Member States, adapting them to new road mobility options, mobility apps and connected and automated mobility. The proposal for the revision of the Single European Sky (SES2+ package) is close to final adoption. Its aim is to reform the organisation and performance of air traffic control in the EU, focusing on air traffic management and air navigation services, to meet future capacity and safety requirements. 3
• In line with the Vision Zero objective, which seeks to minimise fatalities in road transport by 2050, the Commission has put forward a road safety package consisting of three proposals: a directive on cross-border enforcement of traffic rules, a revision of the Directive on Driving Licences and a directive on EU-wide disqualification for major traffic offences. While the first is close to adoption, the legislative procedure is still ongoing for the latter two. 4
• Work is ongoing on a number of legislative procedures initiated during the 2019-2024 term, such as the maritime safety package. This package includes legislation on flag State inspections, port State control, maritime accident investigations, ship-source pollution and the revision of the mandate of the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA). Legislative efforts will also continue to modernise river information services (RIS). The greening of freight package, work on which is also ongoing, proposes measures to enhance the efficiency and sustainability of freight transport. This includes improving rail infrastructure management, providing stronger incentives for low-emission trucks, and offering better information on greenhouse gas emissions from freight transport. 4
• FURTHER READING 4
• Bassot E., The six policy priorities of the von der Leyen Commission: An end-of-term assessment, EPRS, European Parliament, April 2024. 4
• Committee on Transport and Tourism, 2019-2024 activity report, European Parliament, April 2024. 4
• European Commission, Transport in the European Union - Current trends and issues, June 2024. 4
• European Parliament, Apostolos Tzitzikostas hearing documents and CV, 2024. 4
• EPRS, Examples of Parliament's impact: 2019 to 2024 – Illustrating the powers of the European Parliament, European Parliament, March 2024. 4
• Soone J., Transport and Tourism Committee in 2019-2024, EPRS, European Parliament. 4
• DISCLAIMER AND COPYRIGHT 4
• This document is prepared for, and addressed to, the Members and staff of the European Parliament as background material to assist them in their parliamentary work. The content of the document is the sole responsibility of its author(s) and any opinions expressed herein should not be taken to represent an official position of the Parliament. 4
• Reproduction and translation for non-commercial purposes are authorised, provided the source is acknowledged and the European Parliament is given prior notice and sent a copy. 4
• © European Union, 2024. 4
• Photo credits: © European Union, 2024; EC - Audiovisual Service, Christophe Licoppe. 4
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