Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2003-11-17-Speech-1-142"
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"en.20031117.9.1-142"2
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"Madam President, the Commission initiatives on harmonising taxation of vehicles and fuels are broadly justified and are to be welcomed. They are justified because they constitute an essential factor for the smooth operation of the internal market, by attempting to eliminate or alleviate the anomalous situation of vehicle and fuel markets that are enormously segmented. These initiatives are to be welcomed because they systematically prioritise an approach that takes account of the environmental impact of traffic.
Transport and mobility are, today, crucial factors for the pricing of goods and services and it is, therefore, crucial that in no way do they constitute breaches of competition. This does not mean, however, that there can now be complete harmonisation of fuel taxation even if this is spread over time. A degree of competition in taxation is, of course, perfectly acceptable if it leads to tangible benefits for consumers. The ultimate aim of all Community initiatives and proposals for initiatives must be to meet the needs of Europe’s citizens, either by making goods available and guaranteeing their quality, by ensuring the environmental sustainability of societies or by gradually reducing the costs of accessing this type of goods.
This proposal, in this specific wording, does not look as though it will help to achieve significant results in the field of environmental protection and could even lead to pressure to raise prices. Furthermore, an initiative of this nature can only be accepted by the Council if it is integrated and coordinated with the directive on the taxation of energy products and with the proposal for a framework directive on infrastructure charging.
The political complexity of this issue and the difficulties in managing, in the context of this directive, the administrative aspects of its implementation, specifically those concerning the distinction between fuel used for commercial purposes and fuel for private use, and the consequent return or refund of duties, justify the reserved standpoint of the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs. The Commission must view the possible rejection of this proposal, however, as a spur for drawing up a new draft that takes account of the suggestions and proposals made in the European Parliament, respecting the immediate interest of the citizens and contributing to overcoming the inevitable resistance of some Member States."@en1
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