WRITTEN QUESTION E-3192/01

by Raffaele Costa (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(20 November 2001)

Subject: Funding of the trans-European networks

Could the Commission provide a complete, detailed outline of developments in procedures, funding for projects and the construction of the trans-European transport networks? Are any revisions in progress? If so, what are they? Are there any investments? How much has been spent, and which projects has money been spent on?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(18 January 2002)

The Commission calls on the Honourable Member to consult the annual reports already published concerning the implementation of 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(1). These reports give an overview of programmes financed under the budget for the trans-European networks and other Community financial instruments (the Cohesion Fund and the European Regional Development Fund) as well as through loans from the European Investment Bank. They also indicate the main changes to legislation and procedures. The latest report available is that of 1999(2). The 2000 report will be sent to Parliament in a few months.

Furthermore, the Commission publishes reports of a more general character on overall progress in implementing the Community guidelines for the development of the trans-European transport network (Decision No 1692/96/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 July 1996)(3). These reports are drawn up on the basis of surveys carried out in the Member States and review investments in the different parts of the trans-European network, both those co-financed by the Commission and projects financed entirely by the Member States. The most recent report available, covering the years 1996-1997, has been sent to Parliament(4). The report covering the 1998-1999 period is being finalised and will be sent to Parliament shortly.

Community financial support in the period 2001-2006 to projects of common interest forming part of the trans-European transport network (budget heading B5-700) will mainly be allocated under the multiannual indicative programme adopted by the Commission on 19 September 2001, of which Parliament has been duly informed. This programme totalling 2,78 billion (of which 66 % of the available resources will go to the trans-European transport network during 2000-2006) has two objectives: to address better the specific needs of major transport infrastructure projects and to make management of the Community budget more efficient. It focuses on the main priorities for the development of the trans-European transport network, such as the projects approved by the Essen European Council on 30 November 1994, the Galileo project, the elimination of bottlenecks, trans-border projects and intelligent transport systems.

Moreover, in the follow-up to the White Paper on European transport policy for 2010, the Commission adopted a package of two proposals(5) on 2 October 2001 amending the above-mentioned Regulation and the Decision respectively, in order to bring in new priorities and to raise the maximum financing threshold to 20 % of the total cost for certain trans-European network projects which meet specific criteria.

(1) OJ L 228, 23.9.1995.

(2) COM(2000) 591 final.

(3) OJ L 228, 9.9.1996.

(4) COM(98) 614 final.

(5) COM(2001) 545 final and COM(2001) 544 final.