Plans by newly appointed EU Commissioners to create a strong and more competive Europe notably through a completed Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) and high-speed and military adaptable rail network, will require stable and significant investment plans and follow-through by policymakers, UNIFE says.
UNIFE Director General Enno Wiebe on behalf of the European rail supply industry congratulated all newly appointed EU Commisioners on their hearing performances and key policy pledges, hoping now for the final endorsement of the new European Commission by the European Parliament on 27 November and for a swift start of the new European Commission on 1 December.
“We congratulate all the newly appointed EU Commissioners on their successful hearings, and their aim to ensure Europe is strong for the years ahead must be applauded. Nonetheless, a robust discussion on funding must be had in order to achieve these plans. This is a real opportunity for Europe to create jobs in many regions which are lagging behind, but also to develop them. The European rail supply industry is the glue that holds together many communities, and has the potential to expand into many more through a revised EU public procurement framework.” High-speed rail and improving military mobility are key priorities, and if given assurances about policy and investment direction, the European rail supply industry can assist with creating jobs and ensuring European security,” UNIFE Director General Enno Wiebe said.
More specifically, UNIFE appreciates EU Transport Commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas’ commitment to complete the TEN-T network, however this must include investments in the technology which will ensure fast, reliable and more rail passenger and freight services – the European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS) and the Digital Automatic Coupling (DAC).
Consequently, the newly appointed EU Commissioners’ pledge to plan a capital-to-capital European high-speed rail network must be celebrated, nonthless it must be aligned with the TEN-T and funds from the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF).
Further to this, it is important to note how vital these technologies will be in booosting military mobility for the European Union and NATO forces, by allowing an easier movement of troops, armaments and associated hardware by rail across the European Union. This budget already being exhausted is an area of concern.
UNIFE believes extra funds for rail – on top of Recovery and Reseillence Funds (RRF) and the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) – should be sourced from the Social Climate Fund (SCF) and other associated revenues from the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS).
When it comes to the Clean Industrial Deal, UNIFE welcomes this initiative focusing on the competitiveness of the industry and announced in the first 100 days. However, it will be important to ensure that clean technologies such as rail’s can be supported.
UNIFE welcomes the plans of the relevant newly appointed EU Commissioners to engage closely with the skills challenge within Europe’s industries, such as the rail supply industry and the broader rail sector. Suggestions of working closer with younger people and education institutions are positive, with UNIFE ready to assist with a range of ready-made reforms through the STAFFER project policy recommendations.
On public procurement, UNIFE welcomes the announced revision of the European public procurement framework announced by EU Executive Vice-President Stephane Séjourné.
UNIFE urges efforts to strengthen the competitiveness of European suppliers and SMEs, notably by strengthening provisions on best value procurement (MEAT) and by including an EU ‘value-addded’ criteria to tenders. This is key to ensure growth and job benefits go towards Europe’s internal market, and to achieve a level-playing field on rail projects, which are of strategic importance for Europe’s economic security.
Additionally, UNIFE welcomes considerations around a balanced approach on chemical regulations and PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), with a focus on industries where there are more direct and pressing challenges. UNIFE fully supports the phase-out of PFAS, however a short timeline for derogations is challenging for the rail supply industry, as no industrially at-scale proven PFAS alternatives are currently available for the vast majority of the applications.
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