Ex-commissioners asked to plot route for TENs

Date: 04/05/05

A NUMBER of former European commissioners are set to be appointed as co-ordinators to major Trans European Network (TEN) projects.

Their role, for which they will not be paid, will be to oversee the smooth introduction of various TENs schemes across Europe.

They include Karel van Miert, a former transport and competition commissioner, former Commission vice-president, Etienne Davignon - both Belgians - and Spaniard Loyola de Palacio, the transport commissioner in the Romano Prodi Commission.

There are also two ex-commissioners from new member states, Pavel Telicka, from the Czech Republic, and Péter Balázs, from Hungary. Both were replaced in the Barroso Commission by their national governments.

A sixth nominee is Karel Vinck, a former senior executive with the Belgian rail operator, SNCB.

The European Parliament and member states will be consulted before their appointments are confirmed.

A Commission source said the role of the seven co-ordinators will be to drive forward the pan-European transport projects.

They will advise, if necessary, the project promoters on the financial aspects of their individual schemes, report annually on the progress of the projects and any new developments, regulations or obstacles which could cause any "significant" delays.

They will consult with local and regional authorities, operators and users and civil society organisations in the relevant member states.

The appointments had been due to be discussed today (4 May) by the Parliament's group leaders, but talks were postponed until next week after the political groups asked for more information.

Article reports that a number of former European Commissioners were set to be appointed as co-ordinators to major Trans European Transport Network (TEN-T) projects. Their role, for which they were not be paid, was to oversee the smooth introduction of various TENs schemes across Europe.