The main conflict regarding the emissions revolved around the different priorities of the countries focused on car producing and environmental risks. The representatives of Germany warned of the possible negative fallout of the directive which could cause unemployment. The final decision will be made in negotiations between the European Parliament and the European Commission. The Parliament had earlier suggested a 40 percent reduction.
László Solymos, Slovakia’s environment minister pointed out that the topic of emmission reduction is a “problematic issue“ and Slovakia will back the Commission’s suggestion.
The politician also emphasized the social-economic dimensions of the decision.
“In Slovakia the car industry is strong, we would like to negotiate conditions, which are prosperous to the market, the citizens and the industry,” claimed Solymos and added that other countries of the Visegrad Four and Eastern Europe share the position on emissions.
Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Bulgaria and Romania also warned of the possible mass export of old diesel-engined cars to the countries of Eastern Europe, which could be caused by the expansion of non-emission zones in the Western European states. He believes the Union should find a solution to prevent exporting old vehicles to the Eastern parts of the EU.
