Thank you EVP, thank you Commissioner, for this good news for all passengers traveling by train across Europe. We can now move to your questions.

As usual,

I remind you that you have the possibility to ask the questions in all EU official languages. Feel free to use this possibility. Angela, please. Yes, Angela.

Angela Mauro of posts Italy, thanks for the opportunity.

Do you think the railway companies, the big ones, are ready for this?

And given the fact that most of them are state owned or partly state owned,

do you think that this could be an obstacle to the one journey, one ticket, package?

In other words, do you see the risk that this becomes like the banking union or something like that? Thanks. Because I was checking my microphone.

Would like to start and then yes, the message is clear.

We have this important objective to have one ticket and also to create the condition to have an integration between the different,

companies.

This is not simple, but, I believe that is a very important goal that we have.

This is a very complete package goes in this clear direction.

I think that it will be an opportunity also, as I said, for all member states,

and we have to verify also the consequences and also the process of these important packages. Well, I want to be very clear.

The, the aim of our initiative is to simplify the life of passengers.

And there is no doubt that today their access to train tickets is excessively complex.

One way to do so is to give visibility to all operators, including new entrants on the websites that passengers know best,

and this is often the website of the main company in the relevant member states,

for example, SNF in France, Deutsche Bahn in Germany, Trinittalia in Italy, etc.

But this is not the only way, and this is very important to underline.

We also make it easier for independent ticketing platforms to sell the tickets of all rail companies based on commercial agreements. That must be fair, proportionate, and non-discriminatory.

We have the rules to make sure that they do so.

Today, this is not the case and their offer is, in my view, incomplete.

Now they will be obliged to sail rail connections that are offered within their territory, for example,

Member states where they are dominant,

plus the cross border connection that start and end in that Member State.

Please remember that they are obliged to sell the competitors only if they request so. Thank you very much. Other questions? Yes. Elena Apostolidou from Greek public broadcaster.

Are the new rules expected to take effect in all Member States, when,

and will the single ticket cover connections with buses or flights?

And in Greek one question if I may.

Commissioner Tzitzikóstas, we're talking about, trips, journeys, and tickets as well. We're talking about. It's mid May.

There's a crisis in the Middle East, so what's the message?

Particularly, given, the crisis, the fuel prices,

and what's your message to passengers wishing to travel during the summer period? Thank you.

Let me start with the, the first question.

This will be in effect one year after its adoption, so the companies will have one year,

to adjust their websites and their platforms in order to be able to enter the new era for rail.

I remind you that this proposal that we have today is a game changer for rail transportation in Europe.

So 12 months, but within these 12 months,

they will have they're obliged to show on their platforms all the possible connections a passenger might want to take. Strosis in touristic puerjescaros. I'd like to be completely clear.

As regards the upcoming tourist period, I want to be entirely clear,

having talked to people involved in the tourism sector all over Europe, there is no indication of mass cancellations.

As a matter of fact, there's a certain stability compared to last year,

and in fact there's a slight increase as well.

Well, a smaller increase compared to what we would expect without the war,

but in any case, the Commission last week already issued instructions to airlines, to passengers.

And the entire tourism ecosystem all over Europe to make sure that we are all aware of their responsibilities and their duties in case of any problems arising with flights,

airlines, for instance.

As regards airline fuel, there's no indication so far that there's any shortage in Europe,

and let me remind you of the fact that 70% of airline fuel is being produced within the EU currently.

And only 20% is being imported by Gulf countries,

so there is no shortage so far.

There's no indication of any shortages for the immediate future.

The real issue currently is the increase in prices for fuel.

And this leads quite a few airlines to cancellations for certain, trips, planned journeys that are no longer financially viable given the increase in fuel prices,

and According to our instructions last week,

we've made it entirely clear that airlines that Will cancel our planned journeys for the future.

Well, that's acceptable if it's done due to an increase in fuel prices.

However, if airlines cancel on very short notice.

Planned journeys for this specific reason will have to refund passengers,

and let me remind you of the fact that the European Union has one of the best systems globally.

Our legislative system in place is one of the best, best ones globally as regards protection of passengers,

and that's very important for both European citizens and anybody wishing to visit Europe because we all know that Europe is the number one tourist destination globally.

Precisely because it's a very stable and safe tourist destination,

so we want to invite anyone interested for this summer period to visit Europe. A place that will not disappoint.

There will be no problems, and of course they will be able to enjoy their holidays with their families.

Having said this, And as the European Commission,

we're constantly monitoring the situation and the crisis in the Middle East. We're monitoring developments.

We're pressuring to ensure that the Strait of Hormuz open again for free navigation and to resolve the problems that arise,

and one of the issues arising is to do with airline fuels.

If it turns out that things become worse, we will intervene wherever necessary.

We might have to adjust or amend our legislation in order to provide additional support to our airlines or to Member States,

or of course to passengers and visitors if needed.

Yeah And we give the floor there in the middle, yes, you please.

I have a first question on the multimodal package.

So the goal is to ensure fair conditions for digital passenger transport ticketing market,

and right now independent distribution platforms reports that the Commission rates set by the incumbent operators do not allow them to cover the distribution costs.

So I was wondering under this new regulation.

Incumbent operators will not be required to pay distributors sufficient commissions.

And second question on the display of greenhouse gas emissions for different transport modes, will this become a mandatory requirement for all platforms,

or operators remain free to decide whether they want to provide this information or not?

Look, the impact assessment that we did identified clear imbalances in bargaining power between large platforms and transport operators,

and particularly smaller ones.

The front, principles, are in our view necessary. Why?

Because they will ensure fair access to distribution channels and to prevent Unfair contractual conditions.

They do not interfere, and this is very important for you to know, with commercial freedom. But establish a baseline for fair dealing.

I remind you, we are not the Soviet Union, we are the European Union, thank God.

This helps create a more competitive and balanced market environment, so in this respect,

I believe that there is no danger of such a thing.

On top of that, the obligation is designed to be practical and proportionate.

Platforms are only required to display emissions information where it has been provided by transport operators,

meaning that they are not responsible for calculating or generating the data themselves.

So the requirement does not create additional technical burdens.

At the same time, it supports more informed consumer choices and contributes,

of course, to broader sustainability objectives, OK? Thank you. Yes, yeah.

Jennifer Rankin at The Guardian with a question for Commissioner Tzitzikostas.

I'd like to build on the questions from colleagues.

We know already that the railway operators, or at least parts of the industry, have said this is regulatory overreach and and they.

We see it's unfair that they would have to sell other providers tickets.

So how realistic is it that this proposal will be adopted and that it will become a reality for consumers?

And then I also heard you say, of course, this will come into effect one year after the regulation,

but could you give a more consumer focused time for all the rail enthusiasts out there?

When do you think this will actually become a reality, by what year, for example? Thank you very much.

You have to know that this proposal is 100% pragmatic. It is 100% fair.

And it will be A reality on the ground.

As I said earlier,

it is going to be a game changer for rail transport in Europe that will benefit. Travelers, but also the companies. And I understand their frustration. I understand why.

They are reacting to this regulation, but I want to be very clear with you. When this comes, Into reality.

And it starts being implemented, everyone will see the benefits of this regulation.

And on top of that, Not only will it bring prices down.

Not only will it make it clearer and fairer for travelers to travel in Europe by train or multi-modal as they choose.

But at the same time, Europe will be leading one more time.

Because you have to understand that this system will not only work for the EU countries, our Member States,

but it will also work for other countries within our continent like Norway, like Switzerland,

with whom we have agreements and with whom train connections are indeed essential.

So to answer the second leg of your question, I cannot predict the exact date.

I wouldn't like to say something today that will not end up happening at the end.

However, I have to tell you that I will push for the discussions in the decision making process of the EU to go fast,

because I want this to become a reality within the next 1 or 2 years.

So I think that for sure, before the end of this Commission mandate,

We will have this new Error on rail.

On the ground Working and please, here in the middle. Hello, thank you, Umberto Bacchi from AFP.

I just have a quick question, you mentioned the impact assessment.

I was wondering what is the expected impact of these measures.

Does you think they will lead to, I don't know, a 1020, 30% increase in international rate travel or what's, yeah, what's the figure? Thank you. Please.

About this,

I think that it will be necessary to verify during the adaptation and also in the implementation of the the the the the proposals.

Now, as Commissioner Tzitzikostas said, now we are waiting to go through the process and also.

To have a clear proposal at the end of the process because it is clear that we will have some amendments and some possible changes and that we have to understand better this solution and then it will be possible to verify the the the the real impact on this.

And Vice President Fito put it very Absolutely correctly, and I want to add to this,

the fact that our impact assessment shows us that we will have a decrease of prices and at the same time,

approximately 5% increase.

Of passengers willing to take the train,

5% on top of the increase that we were projecting for the years to come.

So it's going to be a clear 5% increase only from this new system.

So the benefits are both financial for the passengers,

but also financial for the companies. Thank you.

And let's take the question back in the, yes. Hello, good afternoon. This is Gregorio Sorgi from Politico.

I had a question for the EVP Fitto on the recovery fund because over the last few days we've seen allegations that Spain has used almost 10 billion VRF funds to pay for pensions,

and this has been widely picked up all across Europe.

So I wanted to ask whether the Commission is aware or is monitoring and looking into the situation.

If these allegations were to be true, would that be in line with the rules of the RRF,

because so far we had always been under the impression that the money would not be able to be used by countries to pay for ordinary spending. Thank you.

This is off the topic, but let me see if the EVP is ready to answer it already now, otherwise we wait for the end.

I'm awaiting these questions clearly because I know that we have this discussion about this.

The Commission is aware of the matter and is reviewing the report by the Spanish Court of Auditors on this investigation into the use of the Next Generation EU funds.

While the payment of pensions and other forms of current expenditure is not eligible for RRF funds.

It could be possible for member states to temporarily use some of the liquidity from RRF disbursement to cover other budget budgetary outlays. Such case.

Such case management operations by Member States are temporary and have no impact on the protection of EU funds.

The Commission clearly checks the national control systems and can intervene in cases of fraud,

corruption or conflict of interest. So good. We had our off the topic question.

Now let's come back to the topic of the conference because I still see several questions here in the room and online. Please go ahead.

Hi, Alessia Balducci with Italian News Agency NOVA.

I have a question for Commissioner Fito, and I would ask it in Italian if that's OK.

You spoke about the topic of cohesion and the importance of connecting more remote regions, but the question is,

In this proposal,

What about cases whereby there aren't the conditions for train connections or they're extremely slow train lines?

I understand this idea of the multi-modal ticket and that there might be a bus that's offered where somebody could take 3 hours to have a short journey to go a short way. Do you have an answer for that?

Well, you touched on a very important point there in the modernization process of the cohesion policy that we are currently carrying out. And also the close relationship.

Between the goals of this package and the cohesion policy.

As you know, we have launched a process of modernization of the cohesion policy.

We've just concluded the midterm review, a very important process,

giving the member states the opportunity to revise their five top priority programs. We have reprogram.

Around €35 billion for this, and we are continuing along this pathway.

Of course restructuring is going to be needed, that goes without saying, to reduce disparities between regions.

That is a main focus of ours, and I mentioned it during my introduction. I want to reiterate it.

Last week we held an event to launch the right to stay strategy, which really is at the heart.

Of the questions you are asking, our aim. Is to establish a number of initiatives.

Whereby we will modernize the cohesion policy and we make sure it filters into regions that are further away from central areas and that we focus.

On the importance of the cohesion policy by using it to reduce divergences between regions.

Now today we're proposing a package which covers a number of different systems.

At the same time we need to make sure that under the current programming period, but also under the future budget that we are now discussing on the basis of the commission's proposal,

we will have the means to act to Make up for shortcomings between different levels of infrastructure in different regions.

Of course we're all aware that there are some regions where infrastructure boosts are needed. I think that's very clear. So it's important that we also underline.

How useful it is for me to be here with Commissioner Tzitzikóstas today because the cluster that brings together tourism,

transport, cohesion, agriculture, fisheries, the blue economy, etc.

Is a vital one, and I think we're really implementing this. We are adopting an integrated approach.

We have different systems that we're bringing together and we are looking at how we can better connect remote regions by targeting investments towards them,

and that's what we will continue to do. Thank you.

I will take one question online and then see if we can still come back to the room. Yes, mate, thanks for the talk Italy.

It's a question for the commissioner Tzitzikostas, and it is on jet fuel, if I may.

Because, there are conflicting messages from the EU institutions because, Piero Cipollone, who's a member of the ECB board,

said last week that Europe is going to begin to run out of jet fuel within the end of May this month.

And you keep being, you, you keep talking in a reassuring tone, which is, I mean, normal for a responsible politician,

but I mean, somebody is not, is not telling the, the whole truth, is it you or Mr. Cipollone? Many thanks. The future will show us.

Indeed, good and I see still David in the room. Thank you for the opportunity, Paula. David Carretta Radio Radical Italian radio. I would have, two questions.

The first one on, on the topic, of this readout, basically one element could be the Possibility to to to increase the availability of tickets and so on,

but there is another element which is quite important, which is competition in member states.

We, we see the prices, for example, in, on,

on railways where there is no competition, Brussels, Paris, they are very high.

In France, competition is coming very slowly and the prices are still very high.

In another country like Italy, competition was introduced a long time ago and the quality and the prices are,

the quality is high, the prices are low.

So basically, are you satisfied with the level of competition in the member states, especially the big ones,

or do you think that you should push more to to the the the national governments to open the markets?

The second question is on, a story published today by Politico,

on the possibility to, era DG region.

I would like to ask Vice President Fito.

What would you think about this this possibility, would it be a.

Good idea to, to get rid of this or to have another much bigger DG in this house. Thank you.

OK, on the topic, then we conclude the conference with the off the topic question. Commissioner, go ahead. OK, so this is the last, question.

First of all, allow me to say one word to your previous colleague because I don't want him to think I didn't want to answer for some reason.

It's just that I answered this question in Greek earlier on, so I will repeat some of the elements in English.

As I said, and I've said it in the past, EU refineries cover around 70% of jet fuel consumption in Europe.

Only 20% is imported by the Gulf countries.

And at this stage,

we do not have any proof or any signs that we have a supply issue with jet fuel.

Now, in accordance with the Accelerate EU communication of 2 weeks ago,

the Commission will map European refining capacities.

Assess the needs and identify potential collective actions to ensure full use of the existing capacities and access to products throughout the EU,

as well as to increase production of sustainable biofuels.

In other words, we want to know, and we know exactly.

What are the emergency stocks in which countries and how much are they? In quantity And only if needed.

Which is not the case now, and we don't have signs that it's going to be needed in the near future.

If needed, we will start releasing emergency stocks, but in an orderly manner. With the coordination of the European Union.

The main objective is to maximize the availability and operational capacity of Europe's refining sector and at the same time,

be ready for any possible scenario of, for example, escalation in the Middle East.

Of course, the Commission coordination role is instrumental in monitoring and deciding on collective action.

And we are working on all possible scenarios at this point.

If we need, we will even adopt some of the policies and the decisions we have taken in order to facilitate.

Member states, airlines, or any other Industry or component of the European economy again if and only if it is needed,

which is not the case today.

On your question on competitiveness, I want to be very clear. Yes, competitiveness is key.

But It is sometimes not enough, and in some cases, markets have been opened recently,

like in Spain, for example, and the results are spectacular. You see the numbers.

So we will continue to monitor the implementation of the 4th railway package so that competition continues to thrive in Europe.

It is My absolute top priority, together with safety.

With this package, we support competition by making competitors better known. So we are already giving an answer.

To the concerns about competition in Europe through this proposal.

These competitors, the smaller ones, are often the incumbent in their Member State and want to compete in another Member State,

and they face the barriers that all new entrants face, and we need to help.

Because this way we create a more competitive Europe.

A more competitive rail sector, but also a fairer and clearer system for our travelers.

Before I give the floor to Vice President Fito,

I would like to thank him for his invaluable support for the creation of this proposal.

Vice President Fittos, thank you very much for the overall collaboration we had throughout this year and a half,

and especially for the proposals that we have brought up.

I am sure that continuing this good collaboration will bring great results for Europe and all Europeans. Thank you. Thank you.

And the question about probably you mentioned the, the, the article of this morning.

I can say that cohesion is and will remain central in our policy and the example that I mentioned before,

it is a clear example of the the work that we are doing to adapt to modernize cohesion policy.

Clearly, The European Commission in all together with the DG region inside with the DG region, we are reflecting about the opportunity possibly to have DG more efficient and also to have the right model, the best model,

but this is the general approach for all DGs for the organization and The longer scale review is ongoing and when we'll discuss about it,

we have the possibility also to face in this new situation also this point but it's not now on the agenda in this moment.

Thank you very much to the EVP and the Commissioner and thank you for your participation and questions.

Don't go too far if you are interested,

and I'm sure you will be interested in the press conference by Commissioner Síkela on.

Today's adopted initiative to reinforce the EU's role in global health, which is actually very timely,

we should be able to resume in a few minutes, in about 5 to 10 minutes maximum. Thank you all.