In the letter Transport Ministers of Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia express their concern over recent developments in the road haulage market in the EU. The letter is also being brought to the attention of Commissioner Thyssen.

The Ministers emphasize that the application of national protectionist measures in Germany and France to transport, which will lead to the fragmentation of the Internal Market, is particularly worrying. The above mentioned Ministers do not question the right of Member States to introduce national minimum wage, however the enormous administrative burden and costs for hauliers resulting from the national legislations is simply not acceptable. Taking into account the specific nature of transport and high mobility of workers in this sector, the Ministers believe that there should be proper harmonisation and simplification of rules in road transport on the European level.

The signatories encourage the European Commission to take action to avoid the fragmentation of the Internal Market and consider the forthcoming Road initiative a proper tool to find balance between a smooth functioning of the Internal Market and ensuring the social protection of drivers.