Brussels, 05/05/2010 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 4 May, the European Commission adopted a document on the methodology for core Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) planning, which will form the basis for the second consultation exercise to be launched on the revision of TEN-T policy. The document, which will be discussed by EU transport ministers and the European Parliament during the TEN-T days in Zaragoza on 8-9 June, will allow further development of the options which have emerged since the adoption of the Green Paper on the future development of the TEN-T in February 2009, and, in particular, alterations to the architecture of the network (see EUROPE 9833). More concretely, the methodology proposed by the Commission (which will be put to consultation) retains the two-layer structure, as proposed in the Green Paper, with a core network and a comprehensive network based largely on national transport networks. The Commission says that this comprehensive network should allow all the regions of the EU to be linked, combine several modes of transport and provide a basic infrastructure for co-modal freight and passenger transport services. The core network will be made up of the main transport nodes (cities, ports and airports) and strategic links across the EU. It will cover all modes of transport, including intelligent transport systems (ITS), and should be sufficiently consolidated to be able to respond to the EU's policy objectives (“decarbonisation” of transport, free flow of transport, etc). It will also provide a link between western and eastern Europe and between the old and the new member states. The consultation exercise should also make it possible to determine the most appropriate forms of funding this core network. According to the Commission, particular attention should be given to better coordination of financial instruments at European (rather than national) level and to promoting public-private partnerships. The consultation exercise will be open until 15 September. Further information is available at http: //ec.europa.eu/transport/infrastructure/tent_policy_review_en/htm. The new TEN-T policy guidelines are expected to be adopted in spring 2011. (A.By./transl.rt)