WRITTEN QUESTION E-2541/01

by Ioannis Souladakis (PSE) to the Commission

(19 September 2001)

Subject: Reconstruction of destroyed road and rail networks

The Nato bombings of Yugoslavia destroyed the road network which used to connect Greece to central Europe; this begins in Thessaloniki and traverses FYROM, the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Croatia, Slovenia, Hungary and Austria, but is now only functioning along 53 % of its total length. The railway network has also suffered the same damage, with only 52 % of its total track length in operation.

Has the Commission examined the damage suffered by the Member States of the European Union because of the destruction of the network, and the resulting transport difficulties?

Has it estimated the cost of reconstructing the destroyed road and rail networks and, if so, where will these appropriations be taken from?

Has it drawn up a timetable for putting right the damage done to the networks?

Answer given by Ms de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(12 November 2001)

The Commission is aware of the major damage done to road and rail infrastructure in the Balkans during the conflict in Yugoslavia, in particular the Pan-European Transport Corridor which crosses the region, linking Greece to Austria and Hungary. The Commission has also been informed of the significant economic consequences of this, for certain Member States in particular.

A Memorandum of Understanding on the Corridor in question was signed by countries in the region on 15 March 2001 in Thessaloniki. It was signed by the Vice-President of the Commission responsible for transport and energy on 5 April 2001.

The Commission has already produced a strategic analysis of the region's transport networks which include the Corridor and their links with applicant countries and the Community's trans-European network. The document can be found at: http://europa.eu.int/comm/energy_transport/library/tren_se_en.pdf.

The main sources of funding for improving the transport networks are international financial institutions, in particular the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). However, the Commission has already provided substantial financial assistance for the rehabilitation of networks in the region, in particular the E75 road in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.

With the new financial instrument CARDS, which supports the stabilisation and association process, the Commission is planning new projects. The E75 could benefit from a project supporting the cross-border area between the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and Hungary and the E70 from a project supporting the areas between the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and Croatia, and Croatia and Slovenia.

An approximate estimate of the total cost of developing the Corridor might be obtained before summer 2002, from a study due to begin shortly.

To obtain a precise figure for the number of priority investments, a study entitled Transport Infrastructure Regional Study (TIRS) is currently under way. The results, expected in early 2002, will constitute the basis for a priority investment plan, including costs and timetable. The second phase of the study, examining the priority projects in greater detail, will begin before the end of 2001, financed by the Commission.

The countries concerned must take the initiative and propose their priority projects and seek the required funding from the Community or from international financial institutions.