The European Parliament has just ratified, by 523 for to 64 against with 37 abstentions, a non-binding resolution which will complete the  White Book on transport presented by the Commission in March.

The parliament thus largely approves the options set out in the White Book, but would nevertheless like to modify the following  points:
- the objectives set for 2050 in terms of CO2 reductions are too far away;  objectives should also be set for 2020, namely a reduction of 20 % in CO2 emissions for road transport and 30 % for  sea and air transport
- the Commission should draw up a  proposition by 2014 which applies the principle of ‘polluter pays’ to all modes of transport
- infrastructure investments should prioritise the networks of new member states and 15 % of these investments are to go to new  multimodal platforms
- a majority of MEP’s is in favour of allowing those member states which so wish to allow the use of longer and heavier trucks on certain pre-determined road sections, provided they do not harm safety or damage the road infrastructures
- in order to avoid the complete opening up of the transport markets leading to  social dumping, the MEP’s insist on the necessity of harmonising training and work conditions in the sector, and in particular demand better checks on working and rest times for road transport drivers a     cross the whole of the EU.