| Author (Corporate) | European Commission |
|---|---|
| Series Title | COM |
| Series Details | (2011) 650 final (19.10.11) |
| Publication Date | 19/10/2011 |
| Content Type | Policy-making |
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Since the mid 80's the Trans-European transport network (TEN-T) policy has been setting the policy framework for the development of infrastructure for the smooth functioning of the internal market and for ensuring economic, social and territorial cohesion and improved accessibility across the EU. This led in 1992 to the inclusion of a specific legal basis for trans-European networks in the Maastricht Treaty and in 1994, at the European Council in Essen, to the adoption of a list of 14 major projects. In 1996 the European Parliament and the Council adopted the first Guidelines defining the TEN-T policy and infrastructure planning. There was a major revision of the Guidelines in 2004, taking into account EU enlargement and the expected changes in traffic flows. Furthermore, the list of 14 priority projects was extended. Several financial and non-financial instruments have been set up to facilitate the implementation of projects. These instruments include the TEN Financial Regulation, the Cohesion Fund, the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and loans from the European Investment Bank, along with coordination initiatives by the Commission. In 2010, in the interest of clarity, the European Parliament and the Council adopted Decision No 661/2010/EU, a recast of the TEN-T Guidelines. To date, transport infrastructure as such is well-developed within the European Union. However, it is still fragmented, both geographically and between and within transport modes. The main objective of these new Guidelines, which will replace Decision 661/2010, is to establish a complete and integrated trans-European transport network, covering all Member States and regions and providing the basis for the balanced development of all transport modes in order to facilitate their respective advantages, thereby maximising the value added for Europe of the network. In the light of the challenges for the TEN-T policy, also identified by the White Paper "Roadmap to a Single European Transport Area – Towards a competitive and resource efficient transport system", these Guidelines will define a long-term strategy for the TEN-T policy up to 2030/2050. |
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| Source Link | http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=COM:2011:0650:FIN:EN:PDF |
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| Subject Categories | Mobility and Transport |
| Countries / Regions | Europe |
