During a public deliberation, the Council took note of a Presidency progress report on a proposal for a Directive amending Directive 1999/62/EC on the charging of heavy goods vehicles for the use of certain infrastructures.
The Council also held a policy debate, focusing in particular on the congestion issue, and invited the Council’s preparatory bodies to continue examining this proposal.
The Council's preparatory bodies will address, in particular, the following outstanding issues: scope of the Directive, congestion charging including maximum chargeable amounts, action plan, earmarking and peripheral areas.
Diverging opinions regarding congestion charging remain the major obstacle to finding an agreement. Even though the Czech Presidency presented compromise proposals, such as the postponement of the introduction of congestion charges, Member States positions continue to differ.
Before a final decision on the draft Directive can be taken, further reflection is needed on the best ways and means to address its complexity by also taking into account the current economic and financial situation.
The Commission submitted its proposal in July 2008.
The European Parliament adopted its first-reading opinion in March 2009.