Ahead of the European Parliament’s hearings of the EU members appointed commissioners, a coalition of more than 40 European associations renewed their call for a strong transport budget. The European Parliament and the Council had agreed on the proposal for the Connecting Europe Facility 2021-2027 (CEF II), but as part of the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) negotiations, the CEF II budget will not be decided until the new Parliament and the Council agree on the MFF. The European Parliament had demanded an increased budget of €33.51bn (€37.76bn in current prices) to boost Connecting Europe Facility II transport investment.
CEF supports the development of the trans-European networks in the fields of transport, energy and digital services and it is critical for the construction of the TEN-T corridors and the removal of the existing transport bottlenecks. A well-funded CEF is essential for the completion of the TEN-T core network by 2030 and to enable smart, efficient and climate neutral transport
Therefore, the coalition calls on the newly elected Members of the European Parliament and the incoming Commissioners to support the demand for a strong transport budget. A strong CEF with responsible grant management is the most efficient instrument to decarbonise the European transport sector.
“The maritime transport sector is quickly adapting to the new and disruptive changes posed by the digitalization and decarbonisation processes. The European towage industry is the most competitive in the world but if we want to keep this leading position and to ensure connectivity and growth in Europe we need to give the transport budget envelope a boost. A well-founded Connecting Europe Facility is the best guarantee for a green, smart and competitive maritime sector”, says ETA’s Secretary General Anna Maria Darmanin.
The MFF4Transport coalition is representing all transport modes and nodes, infrastructure managers, operators, contractors, local and regional authorities, logistics service providers, shippers, users and equipment suppliers in the maritime, inland waterways, railways, road, cycling, aviation and intermodal sectors, as well as supporting industries and companies.
ACI EUROPE – Airports Council International Europe; ASECAP – Association Européenne des Concessionnaires d’Autoroutes et d’Ouvrages à Péage; A4E –Airlines for Europe; ARDAN – Solutions for innovation; CEFIC – European Chemical Industry Council; CER – Community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies; CLECAT – European Association for Forwarding, Transport, Logistics and Customs Services; CLIA EUROPE – Cruise Lines International Association; DYVOLVE – Consulting in Sustainable Urban Mobility; EBA – European Boatmen’s Association; EBU – European Barge Union; ECASBA – European Community Association of Shipbrokers and Agents; ECF – European Cyclists’ Federation; ECG – Association of European Vehicle Logistics; ECSA – European Community Shipowners’ Associations; EFIP – European Federation of Inland Ports; EIM – European Rail Infrastructure Managers; EMPA – European Maritime Pilots’ Association; ERFA – European Rail Freight Association; ERF – European Union Road Federation; ERRIN – European Regions Research and Innovation Network; ESC – European Shippers’ Council; ESO – European Skippers’ Organisation; ESPO – European Sea Ports Organisation; ETA – European Tugowners Association; EuDA – European Dredging Association; EUMETNET – European National Meteorological Services Network; EUROFER – European Steel Federation; EUROPLATFORMS – European Association of Logistics Platforms; FEPORT – Federation of Private Port Operators and Terminals; FERRMED – Association to improve Railfreight Transportation; FIEC – European Construction Industry Federation; INE – Inland Navigation Europe; IRU – International Road Transport Union; IWI – Inland Waterways International; IWT – European Inland Waterway Transport Platform; POLIS – European Cities and Regions Networking for Innovative Transport Solutions; SEA EUROPE – The voice of the maritime civil and naval industries in Europe; UETR – European Road Haulers Association; UIP – International Union of Wagon Keepers; UIRR – International Union for Road-Rail Combined Transport; UITP – International Association of Public Transport; UNIFE – Association of European Rail Industry.
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