Drafting Rules for a European Bus and Coach Committee

Summary of the Council Decision proposal (COM(2026)5 final)

• Purpose – The European Union wants the Council to adopt a position for the Joint Committee that is set up under the Protocol to the Interbus Agreement. The position is to approve the draft Rules of Procedure that the Committee will use to run its meetings and make decisions about regular and special regular coach and bus services.

• Background

• The Interbus Agreement (for occasional coach and bus services) entered force on 1 January 2003. The EU is a party together with Albania, Andorra, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Turkey, Ukraine and the UK.

• The Protocol on regular and special regular services entered force on 1 October 2024 for the EU, Moldova and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Albania, the UK and Ukraine ratified it later on 1 March 2025, 1 April 2025 and 1 May 2025.

• Article 18(1) of the Protocol creates a Joint Committee; Article 18(2) says that Articles 23 and 24 of the Interbus Agreement apply to the Committee.

• What the Committee will do – In its next meeting it will adopt Rules of Procedure that will govern how it meets, how decisions are taken, how minutes are kept, how expenses are shared, etc. These rules will be very similar to the Rules of Procedure already used for the Interbus Agreement, with necessary adjustments.

• EU’s position – The EU will support the draft Rules of Procedure attached to the decision. The Council can allow the EU to make small changes to the draft without needing another Council decision.

• Legal basis

• Procedural: Article 218(9) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU (TFEU) – decisions on positions in bodies created by agreements.

• Substantive: Article 91 TFEU – common transport policy.

• The act is also covered by Article 23(3) of the Interbus Agreement.

• Decision text (simplified)

1. The EU will adopt the draft Rules of Procedure.
2. The EU can agree on minor changes to the draft at the Committee meeting.
3. The decision is addressed to the Commission.

• Annex – Rules of Procedure (key points)

• Name: Joint Committee under the Protocol.

• Chairperson: Head of the EU delegation (or deputy).

• Delegations: Each contracting party appoints a head and deputy; the EU delegation includes EU representatives and member‑state representatives.

• Secretariat: Provided by the EU; the Secretary handles communication and documents.

• Meetings: Called by any party; notice at least 15 working days (shorter if urgent). Meetings are usually in Brussels unless otherwise agreed.

• Agenda: Drafted by the Chairperson and Secretary; parties can add items up to 24 hours before the meeting.

• Decisions: Adopted by unanimous vote; recommendations by consensus.

• Minutes: Prepared by the Secretary within 15 working days; approved by the Committee.

• Confidentiality: Meetings and documents are confidential.

• Expenses: Each party pays its own costs.

• Languages: Decided by the Committee; no obligation for the host to provide interpretation.

• Publication – The Rules of Procedure will be published in the Official Journal of the EU after adoption.

• Key dates – Proposal dated 14 January 2026. The Council Decision will be adopted at the next meeting of the Joint Committee.