Sopot, 06/09/2011 (Agence Europe) - Transport ministers from the “newer” member states are calling for a single European public-private partnership (PPP) model. “We need a single harmonised model, defined by the EU”, said Polish Secretary of State for Transport Rados³aw Stepien. The problem is that transport has allocated the funding available to it under the financial perspectives. Alternatives will have to be found, then, if debt and deficit are not to be increased. According to member states meeting in Sopot (Poland) on 5-6 September, PPPs represent one of the best options.
“Bulgaria wants to resolve its port problem through a PPP, Romania swears by the effectiveness of the model. Even the countries of 'old Europe' say that it might be useful to have a clearer definition of the model. We need to be certain that, in 30 or 40 years' time, transport will not threaten public finances”, Stepien said.
For Poland, it is important that PPPs do not increase debt or public deficit and that they allow project continuity. Countries such as France or the United Kingdom, however, take the view that a European framework is not necessary. “France is not persuaded of the usefulness of a common definition. For countries such as ours, the UK or Germany, PPPs have already proved their worth. However, exchanging experiences could be interesting in this debate”, said a diplomatic source. Rather than defining a European PPP model, France believes that a system harmonising competition would be more useful.
Following the financial crisis, many PPP projects have gone to the wall. This funding model could, however, prove useful for indebted countries and the newer states. This was confirmed by Stepien: “We want to give Eurostat a clear basis for project qualification, so that decision-makers can choose a model, fully aware of the dangers and guarantees and whether funding will impinge on debt or deficit. We will all find reassurance in these circumstances - and our finances, too”. Portugal is more cautious. “On paper PPPs provide a good model for infrastructure funding but the problem we face is that the national budget has been frozen so we cannot undertake any further PPP projects”, said Sergio Monteiro, Portuguese Secretary of State for Public Works and Transport. The European Investment Bank says that, for PPPs to work, it is projects that solid are efficient in the long term that are needed. (V.W./transl.rt)