On 14 October, from 15.00 to 17.00 the Office for a Democratic Belarus (ODB) will hold a presentation of the Concept ‘On harmonisation of Belarus' Legislation in the Area of Passengers' Transportation with the EU Norms and Standards'. The document is prepared in the frames of the ODB project "EU and Belarus: Sharing Knowledge".
The Concept was prepared by a group of Belarusian experts using expertise and knowledge provided to them through study visits, round-table discussions, regular meetings of the Permanent Working Group on transport, and international conferences in Belarus and abroad.
Especially valuable for the experts was the experience of Lithuania and Moldova where agreements on cooperation were signed between the Belarusian Union of Transport Workers (BUTW) and their local counterparts. The experience of the two in reforming their transport sector, as well as the main provisions of the European transport policy and legal mechanisms for its implementation in the field of integrated mobility are reflected in the Concept.
As part of the research, analysis of the current Belarusian legislation shows that in general it shares the European approach and integrating in it the necessary clarifications, and amendments related to the implementation of the international agreements and conventions should not become a major challenge.
Having summarised the experience of the EU and Belarus the authors of the Concept suggested a number of recommendations on harmonisation of the national legislation with the European transport policy:
• Greater development of international transportation of passengers inspired by signature of international agreements, UNECE conventions, and via joining INTERBUS;
• Orientation of transport legislation towards integrated city management and regional mobility;
• Initiation of a law «On Transport Services Management» with a special focus on provisions of the EC Regulation 1370/2007 – on contracting public transport services and mechanisms of compensation for reasonable expenses of carriers.
The proposed measures on harmonisation would contribute to improvements in the area of passengers' transportation domestically, and help to develop the legislation system based on internationally accepted norms and principles. Simplification of administrative procedures should in its turn increase business activities among the carriers and ensure the development of international passenger transportation by Belarusian service providers.
"The EU and Belarus: Sharing Knowledge" programme aims at enhancing contacts between Belarusian experts in the area transport, energy and higher education with their colleagues from the European Union and countries of Eastern Partnership Initiative; promotes the exchange of experience and best practices among them, and contributes to building new international partnerships. This initiative is implemented by the Office for a Democratic Belarus in Cooperation with Belarusian Union of Transport Workers and Information and Technical Support by the Office for European Expertise and Communication. The programme is supported by the European Commission.