Transport operator: mutual recognition of diplomas, free establishment

The Committee welcomes the Commission proposal and supports its main objectives. With regard to the proposed amendments to Article 3, sub-paragraph (c), the Committee takes the view that the financial thresholds set out which are intended as a test of financial standing should be further increased. It also proposes that these requirements should in future be subjected to regular review, certainly not less than every 5 years, in order to ensure at least that the real value of these thresholds can be maintained. The Committee welcomes the fact that the Commission is giving greater emphasis to commercial competence and knowledge in the proposed written test as set out in Annexes (parts I and II). The Committee finally would draw attention to the increasing involvement of transport operators in bilateral trade involving goods and/or passengers between Member States and countries from central and eastern Europe. In the spirit of harmonization which is still being pursued within the European Union and with the intention of avoiding competition distorting practices and promoting a "level playing field", the Committee calls upon the Commission and Council to give urgent consideration to the extension of the influence of the proposed amended directive to transport operators located in countries of central and eastern Europe who are involved in bilateral trade with Member States. �