2004-03-13
There is an English proverb: "Rome wasn't built in a day". That also applies to a European passengers' federation which consists mainly of volunteers and up to now has received no funding from the European Commission or other similar sources. But we have built. In 2002 our 14 associations and other bodies were discussing what sort of Europe-wide passenger lobby we wanted to form. In 2003 we developed a formal structure for it.
Our statutes had to be discussed with the Belgian Justice Ministry, and partly restructured and expanded, so that they comply with Belgian guidelines for international non-profit-making associations. That has now been done.
Two bids for money from the EC authorities were unsuccessful, but they have assured us that they value our work and we are still in negotiations with them.
In 2003 our Administrative Council had three all-day meetings - in London, Brussels and Ghent - and during these meetings we did not just talk about dry statutes. During the past year we have talked about positive and negative developments in and between the nine countries which we represent at the moment. From this arose correspondence with the Commission, Ministers and other players.
In September we sent an 11-page response to the Green Paper on public services. In it we summarised many concerns and suggestions which we have been considering over the past 3 years.
We have conducted dialogue with the CER and BEUC and sought a meeting with the EU Transport Commissioner. We now receive invitations to meetings and conferences more frequently than we did two years ago. We try to take part in these or, if not, at least to reply and demonstrate our interest.
Our study group on Long-distance Travel has issued further circulars, held talks and at the beginning of 2004 met in Basle. In this group work not only members of the Administrative Council but also individual members of the associations who have particular knowledge, experience or interests. That is important for our overall work. EPF is not just its Administrative Council. In our spring conference in Namur dozens of individual members also had the opportunity to hear about our work and contribute to it.
We also made progress with our manifesto in 2003. This summary of our policies has now been published in 4 languages. It should help us to become better known and gain new members. To this end I have also written during the winter to potential members in six other countries. For we now have the foundations and the ground floor. It is now time to build the upper floors.
In conclusion I quote another English saying: "There is no I in team". We are a team and I should like to thank warmly all members of this team. Of course there are sometimes differences of opinion - indeed, that is one reason why we hold meetings - but everyone has in various ways contributed ideas, suggestions and knowledge, performed work or support.
Again, many thanks.
Trevor Garrod
Chairman