Commission's funding proposals transport projects

The European Commission has tabled its proposals for funding TEN-T projects for the period 2007-2013. In selecting the projects, the Commission has given priority to cross-border projects and environmentally friendly modes such as inland waterways and rail. Following the publication of four calls for proposals, the Commission received 221 project proposals. The support requested (more than â‚¬ 11.5 billion) largely exceeded the available Community budget of â‚¬ 5.1 billion.

“The proposed decisions are a response to the key challenge of transport and TEN policies. They will generate high added value for the EU and enhance the sustainability of transport in Europe” said Mr Jacques Barrot, Vice-President of the Commission responsible for transport.

The selection of projects is a clear expression of the Commission’s declared objective to concentrate available support, as far as possible, on critical cross-border sections. This is demonstrated by the overall share of works and studies on cross-border sections â€“ 56 % of total funding.

The selected projects also meet the Commission’s objectives for the sustainable development of transport. The Commission proposes to give the maximum possible funding to projects in the inland waterway sector. The total allocation for these projects represents 11.5 % of the overall resources available for the 30 priority projects, while the share of rail is 74.2%.

Among the projects receiving significant support are the high speed line between Lisbon and Madrid (Evora-Merida), the “Rail Baltica”, studies for the “Trieste â€“ DivaÄa” link between Slovenia and Italy, the Fehmarn Belt Fixed Rail/Road link, the Brenner and Mont Cenis transalpine rail crossings, the Seine-Scheldt inland waterway link and development of the Danube River. Furthermore, the Commission has selected proposals in the field of European Rail Traffic Management system (ERTMS), Intelligent Transport System (ITS) and Air Traffic Management (ATM).

As well as the multi-annual programme, the Commission has also selected several projects for the Annual 2007 TEN-T programme. The annual Programme complements the multi-annual programme with a high degree of flexibility to meet new demands, as a result of its annual nature. For the annual programme, the requested total support of â‚¬ 945 million largely exceeded the available 112 million â‚¬ community funding.

These proposed projects are now sent to the Member States and to the European Parliament. After the agreement of the TEN financing Committee, the European Parliament will exercise its scrutiny right. It is expected that the Commission will adopt its final project funding decisions at the beginning of next year.

The full list of projects proposed for co-financing can be found in MEMO/07/491

http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=MEMO/07/491&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

Please find below theÂ selected projects for Cyprus.

MEMO – Annex 2. Selected TEN-T Projects for the Annual Programme 2007