European Union and Transport

Brussels, 11 February 2005 - "Mobility is essential to the full integration and participation of disabled people in society" concluded Vice-President and Commissioner for Transport, Jacques Barrot, at a very positive meeting of the yesterday afternoon with a delegation from the European Disability Forum.

The delegation which included Carlotta Besozzi (EDF Director), Bruno Gaurier (Conseil national fran�ais des personnes handicapées) and Nora Bednarski (EDF Policy Officer) raised the following:

• Proposal for a European Regulation on the rights of air passengers with reduced mobility which Vice-President Barrot confirmed will be published next week: "We are very pleased, said Carlotta Besozzi, that the Vice-President stressed the importance of this Regulation in ensuring that disabled people will no longer face discrimination in air travel."
  
• Proposal for a Regulation on the rights of rail passengers as well as public service requirements and the award of public service contracts in urban transport: Access to this modes of transport is essential to the social inclusion of disabled people and facilitates use of transport by all members of the population.

The necessity of launching the process for the adoption of a new European Directive that will protect disabled people from discrimination in all fields of life, including transport.

The Commissioner has demonstrated an open attitude to disability issues, affirmed Carlotta Besozzi, and this excellent meeting gives us much hope and reinforces our willingness to collaborate with the European Commission, which has confirmed its commitment to a Europe where disabled people no longer experience discrimination.

For more information contact: Nora Bednarski, EDF Policy Officer, Tel: + 32 2 282 46 05, e-mail: nora.bednarski@edf-feph.org. For general press queries: Helena Gonz‡lez-Sancho, EDF Communication Officer: Tel: +32-2-282.46.04. E-mail: communication@edf-feph.org

The European Disability Forum (EDF) is the European umbrella organisation representing the interests of 50 million disabled citizens in Europe. EDF membership includes national umbrella organisations of disabled people from all EU/EEA countries, as well as European NGOs representing the different types of disabilities. The mission of the European Disability Forum is to ensure disabled people full access to fundamental and human rights through their active involvement in policy development and implementation in Europe.

Helena Gonz‡lez-Sancho Bodero
Communication and Press Officer / Responsable de Communication et Presse
European Disability Forum / Forum europŽen des personnes handicapŽes
39-41, Rue du Commerce
1000 Brussels
Tel: + 32 (0) 2 282 46 04
Fax:+ 32 (0) 2 282 46 09
Mail: communication@edf-feph.org
Web: www.edf-feph.org

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