- 2004: Adoption by EP and Council of the second railways package currently in conciliation

- Adoption by EP and Council of the third railways package before the end of 2004

Adoption by the Council and EP of the second package to revitalise European railways (IP/02/118), including market opening in the freight sector, has been delayed until the second half of 2003.

* A different timing of discussions in the EP might also help to facilitate its closer involvement following the presentation by the Commission of the Guidelines Package and prior to the preparation by the competent Council formations for the June European Council.

The EP decided in its vote on the so-called first railway package to deal with long-distance transport of passengers by rail at international level within the “second railway package”, to be presented by the Commission before the end of this year.

However, Parliament has taken steps to limit the delays which this situation might cause: in particular, it has delivered its opinions on a major package of proposals on financial services and the "new approach" to technical regulations and will be examining, before the elections, the proposals on public procurement and harmonization of indirect taxation (c) Council - The Spanish Presidency Priority is expected to be given to those matters identified as a source of concern in the mid-term report presented to the Rhodes European Council: - animal and plant health controls - the abolition of frontier controls: indirect taxation and checks ...[+++]on persons.