Brussels, 13/11/2012 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission is upping the ante in an attempt to save its instrument for funding infrastructure, the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF). It is doing this by broadcasting a video in which several CEOs from major European companies give their support to the initiative. The initial budget of almost €50 billion has been reduced to a much smaller amount by the Cypriot presidency. In the revised negotiating box for the 2014-2020 multiannual financial framework (MFF), it now stands at €36 billion. In a video clip produced by the European Commission, high-level representatives from key transport, telecommunications and energy sectors, such as Airbus, GDF-Suez and Alstom, proclaim their support for the CEF. A declaration is also being circulated in this connection and has already received more than 1,000 signatures in its support. Some of the signatories include leaders of major companies like Maersk, Munich airport and Pirelli. (MD/transl.fl)