FEPORT and the European Sea Ports Organisation have joined 43 other European transport organisations in calling on Brussels and member states to preserve and strengthen a dedicated European transport funding instrument under the future EU budget.
With an integrated transport network essential for the functioning of the EU internal market, the sector is concerned about plans to redirect a large portion of transport funding to National Single Plans and is urging EU Finance and General Affairs ministers to support a European-wide funding mechanism.
In an open letter to ministers, the transport sector said: “Only with strong and state-of-the-art transport infrastructure at its core, will Europe be able to ramp up its military mobility, strengthen its industrial competitiveness and economic, social and territorial cohesion, ensure its supply of critical raw materials, and safeguard its supply chain sovereignty.”
The importance of European transport networks was emphasised as early as Jacques Delors’ 1993 white paper, with subsequent EU policies recognising the need for a dedicated funding instrument to complete the trans-European transport network.
Recent reports by Mario Draghi and Enrico Letta reaffirm that a cohesive European transport network is vital for economic growth, job creation and social cohesion.
In the face of geopolitical challenges and climate change, the sector stresses the necessity of a coordinated European approach to optimise infrastructure, address bottlenecks and enhance connectivity.
“We urge member states and the Commission to choose for an approach that strengthens Europe, to preserve a strong and centrally coordinated dedicated European transport funding instrument that prioritises investments of high European added value, and to refrain from jeopardising the future and competitiveness of Europe’s transport network, which is fundamental to achieve Europe’s priorities,” said the letter.
