The European Commission plans to revise the TEN-T policy as part of the “European Strategy 2020”, in which EC stipulates the modernisation of the transport sector, especially in terms of competition increase. To that end, drastic measures should be implemented in terms of infrastructure development and modernisation projects, intelligent traffic management and logistics efficiency. “In the following months, EC, EU member states and the European Parliament will define the future TEN-T network and the interconnection hubs with the transport networks of EU neighbouring countries. The development of the TEN-T system should be an important part of the EU Strategy 2020. The domestic market and the EU social and economic cohesion depend on an efficient, safe and interoperable trans-European transport network”, stated Eurodeputy Adriana Țicău, Vice-President of EP’s Committee on Transport and Tourism. The TEN-T policy requires amendments seeing as it will define the proper use of the resources available for the implementation of strategic EU projects in order to eliminate the critical obstacles which prevent the well-functioning of the domestic market, especially cross-border sections and intermodal hubs. Developing a European integrated transport system will help increase mobility and industrial competition. “The implementation of TEN-T priority projects is essential to improve the freedom of movement of European citizens, as well as territory cohesion and to consolidate the domestic market”, said Siim Kallas, European Commissioner in charge of transport, during the “TEN-T Days” event. The TEN-T strategy consists in maintaining a “global network”, overlaid by a “central network”. The global network should connect all EU regions; it has to be multi-modal and also provide a basic infrastructure for intermodal passenger and freight transport services. The central network will incorporate all major hubs and connections of strategic and economic importance. It will include all modes of transport and intelligent transport systems, as well as other infrastructure elements which represent a vital basis in the achievement of various strategic objectives not only in the transport sector, but in other sectors as well. The most important thing will be that this network will link the West and East regions, meaning the old and new EU member states. The future TEN-T network will have strategic connections will major infrastructures in third countries. In this context, if Romania, as EU member state, will be able to develop and implement the necessary infrastructure projects in order to become integrated in EU network following European standards, it will regain its position on the EU map. Although Romania still has trouble with the absorption of European funds, according to the transport authorities, the country will be able to recover the funds necessary for project implementation, especially related to Pan-European Corridors. Based on the discussions between representatives from the Romanian Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure (MTI), EC officials and EU financial institutions, Romania will received support in order to absorb the necessary European funds for the transport infrastructure. Moreover, attracting European funding is of great importance, seeing as next year there will be talks about the financing period for SOP-T 2014-2020 and the Romanian government will have to bring into discussion the investments necessary for the transport sector, especially the railway infrastructure, which is currently facing major issues in terms of financing and project finalization. The rail infrastructure modernisation works in Romania implemented at European standards will surely help place Romania on the EU map, among other countries that have an extended network and who invest in improving the quality of transport services, which contributes to business and economic growth. “Romania has to face many challenges. Take the railway system. The European Union plans to revise the TEN-T policy and, in this context, Romania will consolidate its position by elaborating projects and by attracting EU funding. For 2007-2013, Romania is a few steps back, but for 2014-2020 we can recover and prepare projects in order to receive approval and funding. We are also negotiating with the European Commission to extend the financing period”, said Constantin Dascălu, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure (MTI), in the opening of the WBSA Railway Summit held in October 2010.
by Pamela Luică
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