The EEC Treaty gives a good deal of prominence to transport policy. Among the activities of the Community specifically listed in Article 3 is Article 3(e)—‘the adoption of a common policy in the sphere of transport’.

There is a whole Title devoted to it, consisting of 11 articles (Articles 74-84), and the title is included in Part Two of the Treaty which is entitled ‘Foundations of the Community’. Yet on 5th June 1973, speaking in the European Parliament, the Commissioner responsible for transport (Mr. Scarascia Mugnozza) said:

‘… without wishing to detract from the progress already achieved, particularly when it is viewed in relation to existing difficulties, we must nevertheless frankly and objectively admit that very few of the aims of the common transport policy have been achieved.’