EU transport ministers on 8 June 2026 debated a wide range of issues, including military mobility, seasonal clock changes, drone threats, and ETS aviation, revealing divergences on national safeguards, data privacy, and competitiveness.
On military mobility, the European Commission representative pushed for a three-day deadline for ad hoc transport permissions and a central EU role for the European Military Mobility Secretariat (EMERS). Romania, Poland, Italy, Latvia, and Finland stressed the need for national safeguards, adequate MFF funding, and NATO coordination. The Council is expected to agree on a Coreper mandate in June, with possible trilogues from July.
On pending transport files, Cyprus @Chair highlighted progress on air passenger rights and weights and dimensions but noted institutional splits on Eurovignette. The Commission regretted the Council's removal of the trailer element from the proposal.
On seasonal clock changes, Apostolos Tzitzikostas (European Commission) urged revival of the proposal, citing health and energy evidence, but Cyprus @Chair concluded the Council took note. A workshop is scheduled for 30 June.
Malta resisted withdrawal of the combined transport directive revision, arguing rigid distance criteria hurt islands. The Commission postponed a final decision to autumn.
On unruly passengers, the Netherlands pushed for EU no-fly list sharing; Belgium and Austria raised GDPR concerns, while France and Romania supported coordination within legal limits.
On drone threats, Lithuania (with Estonia, Latvia, Poland, Romania) called for stronger eastern flank detection and funding. France blamed Russia, Germany urged rapid action plan implementation, and Tzitzikostas outlined counter-drone measures.
On ETS aviation, France, Italy, Greece, Latvia, Netherlands, Germany, Malta, and Hungary warned against upsetting the ETS-CORSIA balance and harming competitiveness. The Commissioner confirmed a July review while preserving CORSIA.
Next steps include Coreper mandate on military mobility in June, possible trilogues from July, clock-change workshop on 30 June, and combined transport decision in autumn.