Sopot, 05/09/2011 (Agence Europe) - The informal meeting of European Union ministers for transport on 5-6 September in Sopot (Poland) will explore non-budgetary forms of funding transport. The EU must find alternative sources of funding and cannot count on public funds to guarantee European transport development. The European Commission and the European Parliament are proposing the setting up of an infrastructure fund, outside the European budget. The Polish Presidency is expected to discuss the subject with European Commissioner for Transport Siim Kallas and Brian Simpson (S&D, United Kingdom), the president of the European Parliament's transport and tourism committee.
According to initial declarations from the Polish minister for infrastructure, the debate on the question of a public/private partnership is eagerly awaited by member states. Given the current economic situation in Europe and worldwide, public funds used for investment purposes no longer ensure sufficient development of transport infrastructure. “The construction of new infrastructure and the renewal of that which already exists in the entire European Union remains a key factor ensuring the retention of economic growth dynamics, and an element of sustainable mobility of passengers and freight. This is why the search for alternative sources of transport infrastructure funding in the EU has become a crucial aspect of public debate throughout the Union”, explained the Polish minister for transport.
The host country sees this partnership as an alternative source for funding as well as a means of exchanging experience to the benefit of the two parties. For this reason the Polish coastal resort will play host to Maj Theander from the European Investment Bank and Yves Thibault de Silguy from the VINCI group. (V.W./transl.fl).