The European Parliament adopted the report by Mr M. Georg JARZEMBOWSKI (EPP-ED, D). It has taken an important step towards liberalising railways in the Community. MEPs voted to grant railway companies free access to rail infrastructure, across EU borders, by 1 January 2006 for the purpose of operating freight services and combined transport, and by 1 January 2008 to operate passenger services.
This vote means that Parliament has taken a different position to the Council on the timetable for liberalising the European railway market, especially on opening up international and national passenger services. The two institutions will therefore have to start conciliation negotiations.
Lastly, the report invites the Commission to examine, on the basis of the report to be submitted at the latest by 15 March 2005, the possibility of extending access rights for rail passenger transport, and present an appropriate proposal to that effect.�