BRUSSELS (ANA-MPA/M. Aroni) - Minister of Infrastructure and Transport Christos Staikouras represented Greece at the EU Transport Council of Ministers held on Thursday in Brussels.
In a post on Χ after the end of the Council's proceedings, Staikouras referred to the "important" and "positive" steps taken by Greece. Specifically, he referred to the implementation of the metro in Thessaloniki, the launch of important road projects that enhance road safety, such as the E65, the strengthening of infrastructure in the railway network, the renewal of the bus fleet, the new Road Traffic Code and the strengthening of cameras on the roads of Athens and Thessaloniki. As Staikouras said, these are projects that bear the strong imprint of the government and the EU, through significant Community funding. Earlier, during his intervention at the EU Transport Council, he stressed that public transport is a social good addressed to all citizens, without exclusion. He stressed that it is essential to ensure that travelers are treated fairly and consistently across all modes of transport, offering protection against delays, cancellations and overbooking, and providing the necessary compensation and assistance. "They must ensure that the needs of people with disabilities and reduced mobility are met with dignity and respect. By supporting these rights, we are creating a more reliable and efficient transport system, increasing citizen satisfaction and encouraging the use of public transport that supports environmental sustainability," he said. Staikouras supported the European Commission's legislative initiative to disqualify driving for serious offences (eg driving while drunk, driving under the influence of drugs, speeding and causing an accident with victims). However, he stressed that if the EU wants to take the lead in this area and make a difference, it needs to focus more on prevention by differentiating driving behaviour patterns.