Brussels, 07/07/2011 (Agence Europe) - The French-Italian Lyons-Turin rail connection still has the Commission's approval despite controversy over the line. However, during a press conference on Thursday 7 July, European Transport Commissioner Siim Kallas pointed out that, given the accumulated delays over past months, it was realistic to fear that co-funding could be reduced. He nonetheless went on to add that he had appreciated the latest developments showing the French and Italian authorities' commitment to proceed with the project. The commissioner stressed that the project must continue to receive support.
Following the beginning of the work at the Maddalena exploratory tunnel and the meeting of the French-Italian intergovernmental conference on Wednesday 6 July, the Commission has restated its commitment to provide support for the project. The rail link is essential, the Union believes, for completing an east-west transport corridor connecting the Iberian Peninsula to Central Europe. A railway line between Turin and Lyons would therefore be essential for European economic growth. France and Italy are encouraged to complete the approval process and finalise bilateral agreements, notably on funding matters. This would give the Commission and other stakeholders the guarantee that the tunnel and rail link will be operational in the next 10 years. It is with this in view that the Commission will, this autumn, review possibilities for co-funding the project. (Cor./transl.jl).