WRITTEN QUESTION E-0512/97 by Nikitas Kaklamanis (UPE) to the Commission (19 February 1997)

Subject: Realization of the trans-European transport networks

The difficulties encountered in realizing the trans-European networks (TENs) in the field of transport because of inadequate funding from the EU and its Member States are receiving wide coverage in the European press.

Another major reason for the delay in realizing the TENs is the reluctance of many Member States to finance projects within this framework since they are not of immediate and total benefit to the countries concerned.

Is the Commission considering the possibility of setting up an EU infrastructures unit (possibly in the form of a small task force) to mobilize and coordinate the realization of such major projects, which are even more important for isolated and outlying European countries such as Greece?

Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission (9 April 1997)

During the last few years, the Commission has taken a series of initiatives in order to facilitate the preparation and implementation of transport infrastructure projects of common interest, and in particular the specific projects to which the Essen European Council attached particular importance. Special attention was given in this context to assisting Member States in overcoming financial difficulties faced by these and other important transport projects of common interest. The most recent initiative in this respect is the creation of high level group on public-private investment partnerships, which is presided by the member of the Commission in charge of transport, and which will submit its final report in summer 1997.

The financial assistance which can be granted for transport projects of common interest from the trans-European network's budget line has contributed on a regular basis to facilitating the financing of projects. It provides a means of taking into account the fact that some of the benefits of these projects arise outside the country directly concerned. It is, however, not intended to replace financing at a national level but to stimulate the mobilization of other sources, including private risk capital. The decisions regarding the allocation of these funds are based on a set of criteria laid down in Council Regulation (EC) No 2236/95 of 18 September 1995 laying down general rules for the granting of Community financial aid in the field of trans-European networks ((OJ L 228, 23.9.1995. )), and guided by the objective to achieve maximum benefit for the development of the trans-European transport network. A committee of Member States' representatives assists the Commission in these decisions.

The Commission is aware of a variety of proposals for task forces for coordinating efforts related to the gradual completion of the trans-European transport network. It is, however, of the opinion that, because of the joint and concentrated efforts at Community and Member States' level, noticeable progress has been made with a number of projects in 1995 and 1996. The preliminary results of the high-level group on public-private partnerships indicate that solutions to a number of problems can be found, and that innovative ideas depend much more on the willingness to advance the projects than on the creation of a special organisation. The Commission is not therefore so far convinced of the need for the creation of such a body for the trans-European transport network.

It should be noted that in the Structural Funds Objective 1 regions of the European Union, the European Regional Development Fund and the Cohesion Fund already make, with the loans of the EIB, important contributions to the implementation of such transport infrastructure projects.