{"id":147989,"date":"2024-11-08T00:12:53","date_gmt":"2024-11-07T14:12:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.railfreight.com\/?p=57766"},"modified":"2024-11-08T00:12:53","modified_gmt":"2024-11-07T14:12:53","slug":"big-cross-border-rail-projects-to-suffer-upon-cef-discontinuation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/?p=147989","title":{"rendered":"\u2018Big cross-border rail projects to suffer upon CEF discontinuation\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

The EU\u2019s overhaul of its budget is putting the effectiveness of transport funding in doubt. A member state-specific approach for transport funding, as is planned by the EU now, would limit financing for important cross-border (rail) projects.<\/strong>
\n<\/span>The European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO) warns that such a budget reform could put the European transport system in jeopardy. \u201cEurope\u2019s ports urge the Commission to continue and further strengthen the dedicated European transport infrastructure funding instrument, currently known as the Connecting Europe facility (CEF)\u201d, the organisation stated.<\/p>\n

\u201cSuch an instrument is the only effective way to ensure the completion of a seamless and well-functioning, state-of-the-art European Transport Network, which serves as the backbone and enabler of Europe\u2019s internal market\u201d, ESPO says. \u201cA well-functioning transport network is also fundamental for strengthening Europe\u2019s resilience and enhancing its military preparedness.\u201d<\/p>\n

Rail Baltica, Fehmarnbelt tunnel, Lyon-Turin<\/h2>\n

According to ESPO, the Commission\u2019s plan to bring transport funding under a single funding plan per EU member state could backfire for some of Europe\u2019s most important infrastructure projects. ESPO says that the plan \u201cwould limit the transport funding under direct EU management to the big cross border projects, such as Rail Baltica, the Fehmarnbelt tunnel or the Lyon-Turin rail connection.\u201d<\/p>\n

If funding for cross-border projects is allocated to the national level, ESPO argues, money could go to infrastructure projects that are politically desirable at the national level. It could lead to missing links. \u201cIn fact, an approach based on national envelopes risks bringing transport policy back to the 80\u2019s, with national priorities and a patchwork of 27 Member States and of even more regions\u201d, says the organisation. \u201cThis will not be conducive to maintaining coherent visions along transport corridors, which are intended to connect the economies of one entity, the European Union, and help to compete with other global economic powers.\u201d<\/p>\n