EESC HEARING Sustainable development of the EU Transport policy and TEN-T The practical example: PP17 Brussels 26 April 2011

Objectives of existing TEN-T ensure the sustainable mobility of persons and goods high quality infrastructure including all modes of transport optimal use of existing capacities interoperability

Existing rail network in TEN-T Important role for long-distance passenger traffic interconnection with airports access to regional and local rail networks

The White Paper 2011 10 goals for competitive and resource efficient transport - including new and sustainable fuels and propulsion systems 30% of road freight (>300km) should shift to other modes, over 50% by 2050 >50% medium-distance passenger transport by rail by 2050 connect all core network airports to the rail network by 2050, preferably high-speed

PP17 Railway Axis Paris- Strasbourg- Stuttgart- Wien Bratislava

Important political steps along PP 17 9th June 2006: Declaration of intent by the ministries of transport of France, Germany, Austria and Slovakia Declaration of support by regions, chambers of commerce and railway operators 2006-2007: Bilateral agreements Strasbourg-Kehl-Appenweier Munich-Salzburg Vienna-Bratislava

Implementation along PP 17 (December 2010)

Funding along PP17 TEN-T: about € 600 Mio until 2015 Studies ERTMS deployment in France and Austria Works in France, Germany and Austria European Recovery Plan (EERP): €85 million for studies and works on TGV-Est, 2nd phase and works in Austria (i. e. Station Melk, railway-by-pass Loosdorf, Burgstallertunnel)

Co-operation partner: Main Line for Europe The ‘Main Line for Europe’ initiative is a community of interest consisting of more than 30 cities, regions and chambers of industry and commerce along the rail line ‘Paris- Stuttgart – München – Salzburg – Wien – Bratislava/Budapest. The aim of the initiative is to achieve the upgrading of the West-East Main Line ‘Paris – Bratislava/Budapest’ to a continuous high-performance rail line for passenger and freight transport, the provision of an attractive transport service and the line’s optimum connection to local and regional public transport along the entire corridor.

The role of the EU-coordinator political will financing EU-coordinator: Meetings with national, regional and local stakeholders Agreements between administrations Declarations Conferences EU-funding TEN-T funding for studies and works DG REGIO technical feasibility

Challenges for the implementation The implementation of huge infrastructure projects is costly and takes longer than political mandates and financial perspectives: agreements are needed to frame this process the commitment has always to be renewed

Thanks for your attention Danke für Ihre Aufmerksamkeit Merci pour votre attention Prof. Dr. Péter Balázs Tel.: +32 2 2954994 E-Mail: move-coord-balazs@ec.europa.eu