Connecting Europe: 30 billion euro for new infrastructure projects

The majority of the European Parliament today adopted reports on the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) and on Union guidelines for the development of the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T). The aim of the first report is to accelerate funding of key trans-European transport, energy and telecom links. The CEF will have a total budget of about €29.3 billion for 2014-2020, with €23.2 billion set aside for the transport sector to improve cross-border connections, €5.12 billion for energy, to modernise infrastructure, and €1 billion for telecoms.

"This vote is great news for citizens, who will see their private and business travel facilitated, and for companies who will be able to offer their products and services more easily elsewhere in Europe. Removing bottlenecks, facilitating connections at border crossing points and optimal traffic management will be made possible through the Connecting Europe Facility," said MEP Dominique Riquet, Rapporteur on the CEF.

"Investment in these infrastructures should stimulate employment during construction work, create opportunities during the operation of new infrastructure and enhance the attractiveness of regions. It makes a real contribution to growth, employment and competitiveness," he said.

The guidelines for the development of the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) contain precise maps of the network, which have been developed on the basis of an objective methodology. The agreement sets out a core transport network to be established by 2030, which will become the backbone for transportation within the Single Market. The new core TEN-T network will be supported by a comprehensive network of routes, feeding into the core network at regional and national level. MEP Georgios Koumoutsakos said after the votes that:

"The new Trans-European Transport Networks programme, combined with the new Connecting Europe Facility financial tool, is one of the most ambitious and concrete development programmes of the European Union for the coming 10-15 years. That means that we ensure the continuous mobility of goods and of European citizens - including those with mobility problems. Furthermore we enhance the economic, social and territorial cohesion of all EU regions. In this way we contribute decisively not only to the development, competitiveness and innovation of the European economy, but also to a significant increase in employment."