Industry associations urge EU and Member States to maintain robust funding under the next Connecting Europe Facility to strengthen competitiveness and security.
Ten leading associations representing Europe’s rail sector — including passenger and freight operators, infrastructure and terminal managers, rolling stock lessors, and rail equipment suppliers — have jointly called for a strong and well-funded Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) to drive the EU’s next phase of transport infrastructure development.
The appeal follows the European Commission’s proposal, published on 16 July 2025, for the continuation of the CEF as part of the EU Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2028–2034. The sector’s statement welcomes the Commission’s commitment to maintaining the programme and calls on Member States and the European Parliament to reinforce its financial capacity to meet growing strategic and economic challenges.
A vital funding instrument for Europe’s connectivity
Supported by Commissioner for Transport and Sustainable Tourism Apostolos Tzitzikostas, the new proposal ensures the continuation of CEF support for the deployment of a resilient and interoperable Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T).
Under the Commission’s plan, the total CEF Transport budget would rise to EUR 45.7 billion, including EUR 15.7 billion for military mobility — a significant increase from the current EUR 2 billion allocation. Excluding this envelope, CEF Transport would receive EUR 30 billion, around EUR 1 billion less than in the present seven-year period.
The signatory associations — AERRL, ALLRAIL, CER, CT4EU, EIM, ERFA, UIP, UITP, UIRR and UNIFE — stressed that the CEF’s next phase must remain ambitious enough to deliver both civil and defence-related mobility priorities.
“The backbone of European connectivity”
The joint statement highlights that rail transport infrastructure and operations form the backbone of European civil and military connectivity, underpinning both the Single Market and EU security. Rail links regions and cities, ensures the efficient movement of people and goods, and provides essential logistical capacity for the transport of military personnel and equipment across the continent.
An advanced, interoperable, and resilient transport infrastructure network — as described in the TEN-T Regulation — is therefore seen as fundamental to the EU’s security and competitiveness.
The associations underline that while progress has been made toward establishing a Single European Railway Area, critical bottlenecks remain across the TEN-T core and comprehensive networks, particularly at cross-border connections, urban nodes and multimodal hubs. Removing these constraints is essential to achieving smoother connectivity for both passengers and freight, while meeting future military mobility needs.
Focus on interoperability and high-speed networks
Under the Commission’s proposal, the future CEF will continue to finance infrastructure projects with an international dimension, including dual-use projects that enhance both civil and defence logistics. It will also support projects of common interest that contribute to building a smart, sustainable, and resilient European transport network.
The rail sector has welcomed this strategic approach, describing it as a vital step toward ensuring long-term European competitiveness. However, the associations emphasise the need for sufficient funding to accelerate the deployment of interoperable systems, such as ERTMS, and the expansion of high-speed and ancillary rail networks supported by efficient multimodal hubs.
They also highlight the importance of ensuring that EU citizens experience tangible benefits from defence-related transport investments — through improved public mobility and enhanced service reliability.
Call to action
The associations conclude with a strong appeal to Member States and Members of the European Parliament to demonstrate clear political commitment to the future of European rail:
“We call on governments and the European Parliament to provide unwavering support for the CEF Transport programme, maintaining its level of ambition and acting to increase its firepower for the timely completion of the TEN-T network.”
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