Romania could benefit from funds worth EUR 23 Billion through European Structural and Investment Funds 2014-2020 (ESI), the financing priority is to build on the accessibility of the growth poles on the internal market by investing in the TEN-T network.
Among the projects that could receive ESI financing there are railway system efficiency, modernization of main lines, including ERTMS investments and modernization of railway companies, granting support to other transport modes and interconnection points, especially in order to promote Danube transport. “In the programming period 2014-2020, Romania could dispose of European Structural and Investment Funds (ESI) worth EUR 23 Billion. The financing priority is to build on the accessibility of the growth poles on the internal market by investing in the TEN-T network. It is also necessary to set the Transport Master Plan, strategy elaborated by Romania, but we have to clearly identify the most efficient method of using the money”, declared Anton Schrag, Deputy Head of Unit for Romania, Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy, European Commission, during the Railway Days 2013 – Wider Black Sea Area Railway Summit.
The representative of DG REGIO said that there are many funds for railway transport, but projects have to be viable and well-developed. Also, the transport master plan needs political support for long-term budget allocation efforts, the transport sector status quo, including a clear picture of the governance efficiency of this segment, the construction of a traffic pattern based on an “origin-destination” matrix, commitment on future economic needs, the TEN-T network and also, a list of potential projects as outcome of the pattern. Moreover, it is vital to prioritize future projects based on economic realities and affiliation to the TEN-T core network.
The cohesion policy promotes and supports the transport sector in Romania and neighbouring countries, but “reliable and feasible projects need financing. Transport projects will receive more funds thanks to the different European programmes, but we have to be aware that only those able to prove their reliability and their contribution to developing a performing European network will receive important financing. However, the implication of member states and of governments is also necessary so as to benefit from these funds”, explained Schrag.
Following the negotiations with the EC and member states representatives, it has been agreed on the transfer of EUR 10 Billion from the Cohesion Fund to the Connecting Europe Facility, in order to accele-rate the process of developing the priority transport corridors located on the TEN-T core network. The EUR 10 Billion is dedicated to member states subject to the cohesion policy and Romania’s share is of around EUR 1.3 Billion for development of projects on the two corridors which cross Romania and are part of EU’s priority development directions, the Rhine-Danube Corridor and Orient/East-Mediterranean Corridor. One of the projects to receive financing within this programme is the rehabilitation of Craiova-Calafat railway, providing connection to Calafat-Vidin Bridge, as integrating part of the Orient/East-Mediterranean Corridor defined by the CEF regulation. The feasibility study was completed in 2012 and the total cost of the project amounts to EUR 400 Million.
The rest of the sum, up to EUR 1.3 Billion, will be mainly dedicated to the modernisation of the 16 maritime and Danube ports.
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