In order to achieve these objectives, the Union shall establish a series of guidelines covering the objectives, priorities and broad lines of measures envisaged in the sphere of trans-European networks (TENs).

To help achieve these objectives, and to enable citizens in the Union, economic operators and regional and local communities to derive full benefit from the setting up of an area without internal frontiers, the Union shall contribute to the establishment and development of trans-European networks in the areas of transport, telecommunications and energy infrastructures. Action by the Union shall aim at promoting the interconnection and interoperability of national networks as well as access to them.

In order to promote its overall harmonious development, the Union shall develop and pursue its actions leading to the strengthening of its economic, social and territorial cohesion.

The Union shall adopt measures with the aim of establishing or ensuring the functioning of the internal market. The internal market shall comprise an area in which the free movement of goods, persons, services and capital is ensured.

(Articles 26, 170, 171, 172, 174 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union)

Areas of Union competence deriving from the Treaty

TEN-TEA is responsible for managing the technical and financial implementation of the TEN-T Programme by following the entire project lifecycle. In its day to day work it aims to improve the effectiveness and flexibility of TEN-T implementation at a lower cost whilst at the same time mobilising a high level of expertise by recruiting more specialised staff. It also strengthens the links between the TEN-T and key stakeholders, ensures a better coordination of funds with other EU instruments, raises the profile and benefits of EU funding and provides support/feedback to the Commission.

Council Regulation (EC) No 58/2003 empowers the Commission to establish executive agencies to carry out tasks related to Union programmes. TEN-TEA was therefore set up to manage Union action in the field of the TENs on the basis of the TEN-T Guidelines and Financial Regulation and add value in the management of the TEN-T Programme. It remains under the supervision of its parent DG MOVE, which retains responsibility for policy issues.

The Decision on Union Guidelines for the development of the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) establishes the guidelines covering the objectives, priorities and broad lines envisaged in the area of TEN-T. General rules were laid down for the Union financing of TENs, in order to permit the implementation of these guidelines.

(Regulation (EC) No 680/2007 of the European Parliament and of the Council)

(Regulation (EC) No 67/2010 of the European Parliament and of the Council)

(Decision No 661/2010/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council)

European Parliament acting on a recommendation from the Council.

The Agency's activities are supervised by a Steering Committee which is composed of five members from the EU Directorates-General Mobility and Transport (two members), Regional and Urban Policy, Environment, Human Resources and Security and an observer from the European Investment Bank. The Committee meets four times a year and approves the Agency's Administrative Budget, Work Programme, Annual Activity Report, Accounts of all revenue and expenditure and the external evaluation report, and adopts other specific implementing rules.

Contract staff: 67 posts planned, of which 66 were occupied.

Temporary Agent posts: 33 posts listed in establishment plan, of which 32 occupied.

9,8 million euro (administrative budget) in the form of a 100 % EU subsidy, which the Agency manages autonomously.

7,9 billion euro (100 % general budget of the European Union) for the TEN-T budget linked to the 2007-2013 Financial Perspective.

Resources available to the Agency in 2013

Products and services 2013