‘Dropper’ for trucks, the EU commission beats Austria. Salvini: “Victory”
Salvini rejoices after the EU commission rejected Tyrol's traffic bans along the Brenner axis. And he announces: "Now Italy will formalize the appeal to the Court of Justice"
VENICE – The European Commission has recognized Italy’s reasons for the violation by Austria of four types of Tyrolean bans along the Brenner axis: night ban; sectoral ban on movement for certain goods; winter traffic ban on Saturdays; “dropper” system, which limits the circulation of heavy vehicles and freight traffic in Kufstein towards Italy. And in Italy they celebrate victory. “Great satisfaction” to the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport led by Matteo Salvini.Italy will now proceed to formalize the appeal to the Court of Justiceto “re-establish a legal framework favorable to businesses and protect the principle of freedom within the European Union”.
SALVINI: “FOR YEARS WE HAVE BEEN TRYING TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM WITH AUSTRIA”
On the basis of the request presented by Italy in February, “the Commission has unequivocally censored all Austrian traffic bans along the Brenner Corridor”, highlights the ministry. The opinion of the Commission “therefore demonstrates the validity of the position” of the Italian Government which, following input from Salvini, took the judicial path “after years of discussions aimed at finding a negotiated solution, frustrated by intransigence Austrian”. It is “another promise kept”, comments Salvini.
“We learn with great satisfaction the Commission’s opinion regarding the dispute that has pitted Italy and Austria against each other for years on the issue of the transit of goods through the Brenner axis”, states Riccardo Morelli, president of Anita (Confindustria Association which represents goods road transport and logistics companies), according to which “the news represents a significant victory for our country and for the companies that move the national economy on a daily basis, bringing Made in Italy to Northern Europe”.
Anita, concludes Morelli, thanks Salvini “for having urged the Italian Government to undertake the initiative towards Austria, demonstrating that he firmly believes in the reasons highlighted” by the same association of goods and logistics companies, and “those who they are committed to achieving this result. Ensuring free movement and fair competition between businesses is of fundamental importance for the competitiveness of the national economy”. And Thomas Baumgartner, past president of Anita with responsibility for Brenner, underlines: “We have always maintained that the various Austrian measures against the transit of goods through Tyrol are discriminatory and contrary to the principle of the free movement of goods and which, in addition to undermining community regulations, cause serious damage to the Italian economy. We are happy with the clear stance of the European Commission which supports our theses, confirming that the justifications expressed by Austria respect. traffic safety and environmental protection are not valid”.
