On 30 September 2014, Maroš Šefčovič, Member designate of the EC in charge of Transport and Space, was heard by the Committee on Transport and Tourism and the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy of the European Parliament to test his general competences, European commitment and specific expertise related to his portfolio. He had the opportunity to make an opening statement before taking part in the question and answer session.Although the Parliament can only vote on the European Commission as a whole, a negative assessment of one of the candidates has in the past often led to the candidacy being withdrawn and replaced.In the outgoing Commission, Maroš Šefčovič was Vice-President in charge of Inter-Institutional Relations and Administration.

Brussels

exchange of views

Committee on Transport and Tourism

BILBAO BARANDICA, Izaskun (Renew, ES)

ŠEFČOVIČ, Maroš (SK, EC)

hearing

ZĪLE, Roberts (ECR, LV)

ERTUG, Ismail (S&D, DE)

van de CAMP, Wim (EPP, NL)

KOCH, Dieter-Lebrecht (EPP, DE)

ANDERSON, Lucy (S&D, UK)

hearing of Maroš ŠEFČOVIČ (T)

Hearing of Maros SEFCOVIC (Slovakia), Commissioner-designate for Transport and Space: MEPs questions & answers

SOUNDBITE (Dutch), Wim van de CAMP (EPP, NL), The financing of the TEN-T project and the 300 billion by Mr Juncker, how much of that 300 billion from Mr Juncker is going to the TEN-T project?

SOUNDBITE (English), Maros SEFCOVIC, Commissioner-designate in charge of Transport and Space:, I think we all know that 26 billion for the TEN-T is a lot of money, but it is a drop in the ocean if you look at what is really needed in Europe, we need much more money. I really believe that good projects in infrastructure, good projects for the future development of modern systems are the projects where we can really find also very good prospective investors from the private sector, we can start this public-private partnership in this area and it this way leverage the financial support which was which was given also thanks to you, the EU, during the last financial perspective.

SOUNDBITE (German), Ismail ERTUG (S&amp;D, DE), Will you look at the social aspects as being an important part of European transport policy?

SOUNDBITE (English), Maros SEFCOVIC, Concerning the social rights, I think that for the new Commissioner there should be one rule when we are going to prepare the legislation and when we are going to put it through the input assessment evaluation. I think there should be one important question asked, how this is going to affect the employment in Europe, are we going to create new jobs or to create problems for the people on the labour market, I can assure you that for me this going to be a very important principle in the area of transport.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberts Z&#298;LE (ECR, LV), What is your opinion, is it the right time, whatever will happen with sanctions, to go ahead with some reciprocity measures or some kind of pressure to finally not allow Russia take illegal payments from airlines?

SOUNDBITE (English), Maros SEFCOVIC, I would focus on the Siberian over flights because this is the issue we have been dealing with for many years. I think hopefully we will see some kind of normalization of the relationship between the EU and Russia and I will be working very hard on this. We can also convince our member states that it is much better if we as Europeans can talk with one voice, have one position vis-&agrave;-vis this problem in Russia and to push for a EU-Russia agreement on over flight.

SOUNDBITE (German), Dieter-Lebrecht KOCH (EPP, DE), Every year more than 250.000 accidents take place in European transport, often with heavy injuries and more and more people lose their lives on European streets. What will be the next measure that you as Transport Commissioner will take and how do you reckon will reach them?

SOUNDBITE (English), Maros SEFCOVIC, I think that a cross-border enforcement directive would make the drivers that are abusing the fact that they are driving recklessly in other countries pay their fines.

SOUNDBITE (English), Lucy ANDERSON (S&amp;D, UK), What further action would you be prepared to consider to make sure that all passengers, including disabled passengers and those with reduced mobility have access to transport networks?

SOUNDBITE (English), Maros SEFCOVIC, I will be working very closely with Madame Thyssen on the European Accessibility Act which will guarantee by law that the people with a reduced mobility will have the same rights.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Izaskun BILBAO BARANDICA (ALDE, ES), The 4th Railway Package arises because the 3rd failed. Will you apply a new governance method for transport overcoming the resistance of the states and historic monopolies?

SOUNDBITE (English), Maros SEFCOVIC, The first priority for me will be to keep the package together. I think we progressed quite well on the technical side of the package but I think it would be a pity because of the progress on the technical part and the problems we still have governance or the political pillar just to abandon it.