Breakthrough announced on slimmed-down Connecting Europe Facility

Ireland's transport minister announced on the 27 June 2013 a “significant breakthrough” with the European Parliament on a new regulation that would see almost €30 billion in EU funding targeted at enhancing the transport, energy and telecoms networks, under the so-called Connecting Europe Facility (CEF).

The CEF is the biggest victim of the austerity push in the 2014-2020 EU budget. The facility was slashed from €50 billion in the Commission's initial proposal to €41.2 billion in a second version presented by European Council President Herman Van Rompuy. It was then again cut to €29.3 billion under the last proposal, adopted at the 8 February 2013 summit of EU leaders.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: EU diplomats: ‘It’s now or never’ to agree the EU budget http://www.europeansources.info/record/eu-diplomats-its-now-or-never-to-agree-the-eu-budget/

ESO: Background information: Press Release: The Commission welcomes historic agreement on new trans-European transport network http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-the-commission-welcomes-historic-agreement-on-new-trans-european-transport-network/

ESO: Background information: Deal on longterm EU budget following last-minute talks http://www.europeansources.info/record/deal-on-longterm-eu-budget-following-last-minute-talks/

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