18. Believes that the basic rules on passengers' rights should be laid down in a Charter of Passengers' Rights covering all forms of transport, and therefore expects the Commission to put forward, at the latest at the beginning of 2012, a corresponding proposal which takes account of both the specific characteristics of each transport mode and past experience and contains a chapter on the rights of passengers with disabilities; calls, at the same time, for uniform interpretation and consistent application, implementation and enforcement of these rights, on the basis of clear definitions and guidelines, and transparency regarding their m ...[+++]anagement; stresses, further, the need for legislation in the area of add-on charges across all modes of transport;

K. whereas the instruments should be simple and should avoid delay and unnecessary expense; whereas they must be available where appropriate ex parte , with ‘surprise effect’; whereas debtors' and alleged debtors' rights should be correspondingly safeguarded in order to avoid any misuse of the measures requested,

In the car hire market, further harmonization of consumer rights might result in lower drop-off fees.

16. Expresses concern at any institutionalised role given to industry consultation forums such as CARS 21 regarding policies under codecision rules; recalls the unanimous decision taken by its Conference of Presidents in 2006 regarding high-level groups and calls on the Commission to ensure its independence in the use of its right of initiative under the Treaties;

Under the political agreement, pedestrians and cyclists would be designated as specific categories of accident victims. It stipulates that motor vehicle insurance would have to cover personal injuries suffered by pedestrians and cyclists and other non-motorised users of the roads who, as a consequence of an accident in which a motor vehicle is involved, were entitled to compensation in accordance with national civil law.

the Council and the Commission confirm the principle that costs, arising from legislative measures, incurred in combating crime, should be met by law enforcement agencies; in cases where, according to Union or national law, the cooperation of private entities, such as Internet service providers and network operators, is required for storing data, wiretapping, preservation and other requests which increase costs, these costs must be reimbursed; network operators/service providers must not be held responsible if they are unable to comply with contract obligations or for damages due to law enforcement requests (no lia ...[+++]bility); in general, notes that the Internet should be available to all and that the cost thereof should therefore be kept at as low a level as possible, in accordance with the conclusions of the Lisbon summit;