Links with euro. At the very moment the world's focus is on consolidation of the euro and strategies to support this effort, it is normal that the European Commission initiative to help Trans-European Networks has remained in the shade. This is not the case in our publication but in the media in general and among the public. Those affected by this issue have responded at national or sectoral level but the importance of this initiative and its contribution to financial consolidation have not, in my opinion, received appropriate attention. This is why, before the debates on the euro are concluded, I wish to return to this project and advise readers to consult EUROPE 10477 for the presentation made by Mr Barroso (one of his most effective and successful public speeches) and the description and objectives of the three networks proposed: transport, energy and telecommunications.
Austerity for member states and economic recovery for EU. The Commission programme puts into practice the principle affirmed by Jacques Delors, with his usual clarity and conciseness. Asked about the possibility of tackling the difficulties experienced by the euro and the dangers of economic recession at the same time, he replied that “the response is self-evident: indispensable budgetary rigour in the member states and action to relaunch recovery in the EU”. Nonetheless, he remained sceptical and disappointed: “unfortunately, we can see the misgivings regarding the EU's future budgetary resources and eurobonds, which even the markets are calling for”. The Commission is trying to rectify this.
Obviously, member states' budgetary recovery plans must in principle correspond to both measures for relaunching the recovery and significantly reducing spending. The trans-European networks, however, proposed by the Commission, would help provide an appropriate fillip to this economic recovery.
Programme ready and operational. The Commission programme is the very opposite of a theoretical plan simply limited to a wish list of objectives. It includes a detailed list of projects of common interest decided upon, which in a number of cases, have been subject to examination over a number of years, without coming to any real result but which would provide new impetus to European unity and the way in which the single market successfully operates. It underlines and describes each project, as well is the way it functions, together with its main features. It does not call for consensus for overall European funding but it does outline precise figures and specificities with regard to the financial outlay: €50 billion from the Community budget to be included in the 2014/2020 financial perspectives, the essential role to be played by the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the distribution of budgetary funding among the three networks targeted.
This is no politically opportunistic improvised plan but the formal launch of a major Community project, which will benefit the European economy and all citizens.
Factors not yet in place. Obviously, trans-European networks already exist or are being constructed, especially in the transport field. It is not the Commission that dreamed them up just a few days ago. A number of them are already both effective and successful. Nonetheless, so many projects come to a halt at the border separating two member states and sometimes these projects are built with staggering delays between one country and another. Sometimes, technical modalities do not correspond on the two sides of a common border! Transforming these joint projects into European networks has been the subject of discussion since time immemorial, and yet another simple announcement claiming that the objective is to develop these projects as soon as possible can but bring a smile to one's lips. The Commission programme, however, will get rid of all of these shortcomings.
Swift effects. Putting the programme into practice will result in providing the EU fairly quickly with networks that are currently incomplete or inexistent. This project will also, in the immediate term, create many jobs and swiftly relaunch certain economic activities, as well as create a more positive atmosphere and lead to the accomplishment of other projects. Those affected by these plans responded immediately and expressed a very great deal of interest in them. Nonetheless, we should not be surprised if there are a few negative remarks made in this connection. Every sector involved considers that it has not obtained the attention that it deserves and certain paths have been subject to criticism, especially with regard to funding for the project, which is considered insufficient. This latter complaint was made at the outset, however, and the fact that the different sectors concerned have responded, is in itself, an encouraging development.
Overall result. The project will contribute to: helping towards efforts made by member states to reduce their budgetary deficits, as part of negotiations on the euro, which continue this Wednesday; relaunching economic activity; providing the EU with new cooperation instruments; strengthening links between member states.
(FR/transl.fl)