WRITTEN QUESTION E-2874/01

by Rosa Miguélez Ramos (PSE) to the Commission

(17 October 2001)

Subject: Community guidelines for the trans-European transport network and Galicia

The College of Commissioners adopted the draft Regulation updating the Community guidelines for the trans-European transport network on 2 October 2001. This proposal includes a rail link through the Pyrenees and the interoperability of the Spanish high-speed network, which is to be adapted to the gauge of the rest of Europe.

That same day, the Transport Commissioner, presenting the proposal to the EP part-session, said in a reply to a question that the Galician sections of the high-speed network are included (in the Commission proposal), as are the interconnections with Portugal, in so far, I stress, as all these lines are to be adapted and changed to the European gauge, whether we are speaking about new lines or remodelling the existing ones. I want this to be very clear.

The first part of this statement led one newspaper to assure its readers in a headline that Brussels confirms the Galicia-Portugal high-speed link(1).

If we are to ascertain the specific content of the proposal, and just what the European Union has undertaken to co-fund with regard to high-speed trains in Galicia, the following questions need answered:

- Which sections was the Commissioner referring to, and what work on them is Commission co-funding planned for?

- Does the proposal include additional funding for high-speed projects in Galicia? How much?

- What high-speed network sections is the European Community going to co-fund in Galicia within the lifetime of the present financial perspective (2000-2006), and what are the figures for the funding involved?

- What high-speed sections in Galicia will the Community co-fund under the subsequent financial perspective, and what are the figures for the funding involved?

- When does the Commission envisage the high-speed sections in Galicia coming into operation?

- On the basis of these forecasts, how long will it take to get from Santiago to Madrid and from Santiago to Lisbon by train?

(1) La Voz de Galicia, 3 October 2001.

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(6 December 2001)

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its answers to written questions E-1046/01(1), E-2030/01(2) and E-2189/01(3) by Mr Nogueira Román.

In the Commission proposal of 2 October 2001 amending Decision No 1692/96/EC on Community guidelines for the development of the trans-European transport network(4), the new rail network maps show all the high speed lines planned for Galicia. The proposal has been transmitted to the European Parliament and the Council.

When the proposal is adopted, the common interest projects on these links will be eligible for Community financial support from the budget for the trans-European network and the Cohesion Fund. The Commission will examine what funding can be given on the basis of the criteria for each financial instrument, the merits of the project and the available budget.

The purpose of the aforesaid Decision is to set up a trans-European network by 2010. The exact date on which the high speed lines will start operating in Galicia will depend on national planning.

The journey times from Santiago to Madrid and Santiago to Lisbon will depend on the techniques used in conformity with Directive 96/48/EC on the interoperability of the trans-European high-speed rail system(5) which will apply to the projects included in the proposal once it has been adopted.

(1) OJ C 340 E, 4.12.2001, p. 155.

(2) OJ C 93 E, 18.4.2002, p. 49.

(3) OJ C 115 E, 16.5.2002, p. 36.

(4) COM(2001) 544.

(5) OJ L 235, 17.9.1996.