Informele bijeenkomst Raad Vervoer: Toekomst van Europese infrastructuur (en)

“Neither social or economic cohesion, nor the single market, may be achieved without building the missing European infrastructure”, acting chair State Minister, Pál Völner stressed at the informal meeting of European Transport Ministers, on 8 February in Gödöllo, which reviewed the methodology and financial aspects of European transport development at the Hungarian Presidency’s proposal.

The Hungarian Presidency put the development of the trans-European transport network (TEN-T) on the informal meeting’s agenda, because the Commission is dis-satisfied with its present conditions and is expected to publish its revised proposal. Therefore, the informal meeting in Gödöllo provided an opportunity for member states to join in a high-profile discussion on the future of European transport development, before the Commission submits its proposals.

“We have to build the trans-European transport network (TEN-T) at all costs, if we want to keep our leading position”, EU Commissioner for Transportation, Siim Kallas i, pointed out at the meeting in Gödöllo. The Commission’s Deputy President, emphasised the revision of the TEN-T contributes both to the preservation of European enterprises’ competitiveness, and to the improvement of the entire transportation sector’s sustainability.

At the same time, after the disclosure of the Green Paper on TEN-T, and the expert consultations, it became clear that the Commission intends to review basic networks eligible for priority funds. However, it does make a difference for Member States, what index numbers and methodology the Commission would use to design the new network map, since countries falling out from the basic network will receive significantly less financial support.

Member states expressed their wishes to endorse the trans-European transport network’s revision, but they require the Commission to consider their positions on the determination of basic networks when preparing its proposal for June. Siim Kallas declared that the Commission is ready to enter into bilateral negotiations with member states, so that the demands of each country can be revealed in relation to infrastructure development. The Commissioner also stressed that “we will need to effectively link the Eastern and Western parts of the Union so that all member states enjoy full access to the internal market.”

Parliament expecting compromise

“The revision of the TEN-T is timely and highly important, but the European Parliament would like to achieve a common network rather than 27 member state plans”, pointed out Brian Simpson, Chairman of the European Parliament’s Transport and Tourism Committee. He also explained that there is a need to create energy efficient transport, modernise the European network and abolish cross-border bottle-necks. The politician added that according to the Parliament we also have to pay attention to the use of funds to make member states spend EU money on network development.

Debate in the Council

The majority of member states argued primarily for the importance of a balanced infrastructure, and the EU-level modernisation of insufficiently developed road networks. Some countries, however, referring to the fact that the EU’s present budget, allows for restricted funding only, urged the establishment of a basic network much less extensive than the one planned by the Commission. It was also proposed, that detailed preliminary economic surveys are needed to determine the necessary transport projects.

New dimension in transportation

Touching on a completely new issue, German Transport Minister, Peter Ramsauer, also spoke about the promotion of electric car usage. He said that in some countries, such vehicles are financially supported by the government; but this approach is no longer available: “We all are in difficult financial situations, and cannot afford to offer generous financial support.” He pointed out that spending should primarily aim at roads because without them “electric cars are of no use”. Transport Commissioner, Mr Kallas, indicated that the Commission agrees to put electric cars on the Council’s agenda, as an independent item in the near future.