A new Action Plan for the transport to and from neighbouring countries dedicated to improving the transport links with adjacent regions in eastern and southern EU was launched by the European Commission in July. The plan proposes more than 20 concrete, short-term, as well as long-term measures, aimed at rendering transport connections easier, safer and more reliable. At the same time, the measure will amplify the integration of markets, to the benefit of both EU and neighbouring regions.
Transport cooperation with EU neighbouring regions was carried out until currently within bilateral and regional initiatives. For example, an initiative in regional transport already exists for southern neighbours. This new action plan starts from the results obtained so far and consolidates mostly eastern connections and integrate transport regional cooperation in one single policy.
Among the main measures that seek to link EU transport systems with those of its neighbours is the expansion to the neighbouring regions of the EU’s domestic market in aviation and the Single European Sky, the Trans-European transport network link to the infrastructure of EU adjacent countries through transport priority projects and increasing the efficiency of sea transport to and from neighbouring countries, including on long-term by joining them in the “ Blue Belt” free sea traffic project and in neighbouring regions.
An improved turning into account of the rail freight transport potential by opening up markets and eliminating technical barriers, as well as railway gauge differences is an important point of the new action plan. Moreover, the efficiency of rail passenger transport services can be increased by improving cooperation at border crossing points without requiring significant infrastructure investments.
Also, the efficient implementation of regional transport cooperation is in plan by setting up, within the Eastern Partnership, a transport committee that will supervise cooperation with eastern neighbours.
The Commission’s plan will be presented to the European Parliament and the Council. Therefore, during October 24-25, 2011, the new Transport Committee of the Eastern Partnership, that will supervise the implementation of measures in the East, will be launched in Krakow during a ministers’ conference organised under the Polish Presidency of EU.
This transport committee will reunite the European Commission, neighbouring countries, member states and international financial institutions in order to discuss about the reforms necessary for a better integration of the market, for transport network planning and for preparing the reserve of infrastructure projects.
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