European ports policy

An own-initiative report on European ports policy. The amendments address the strategic, economic, social and environmental importance of ports, Parliament's earlier rejection of port services directives, opposition to liberalisation or deregulation of port services, the Commission's preference for soft-law guidelines, environmental protection and coexistence with nature, hinterland connections and intermodal links, competition with third-country ports and discriminatory measures, new technologies, safety, and research under the Union's framework programmes.