EU MINISTERS TO DISCUSS PORT COMPETITION DIRECTIVE

EU MINISTERS TO DISCUSS PORT COMPETITION DIRECTIVE    The transport ministers of European Union member states will discuss a controversial directive on the liberalization of port services across Europe at a council meeting in Luxembourg today.
   “This will probably be the most important topic of this council,” a spokesman for the European Commission said.
   The proposed directive, prepared by the European Commission, aims to set up a common legal framework to guarantee free access to providers of port services.
   Ports and unions of dockworkers oppose the proposed legislation, which would force ports to invite tenders from competing stevedores.
   However, the European Commission said, “a political agreement is possible.”
   The European Commission sad the proposed measures for the selection of service providers would improve the quality of port services and lower their costs.
   Dockworker unions affiliated to the European Transport Workers Federation have called for labor actions before the meeting of the European council of transport ministers.