Brussels, 16/05/2013 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission has given its endorsement to the co-funding of railway projects in the Czech Republic and Slovenia, for a total amount of around €200 million.
Prague is to receive an investment of almost €120 million in order to modernise around 20 km of its railway network in the eastern part of the country (Plzen region). This approach aims to bring the railway into line with European standards throughout the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T). The cohesion fund will contribute to the project that will cost €221 million in total. On Tuesday 14 May, once approval had been given by the Commission for European financing, the European commissioner for transport, Johannes Hahn, drew attention to the fact that investment will allow the Czech rail network to be modernised to bring clear benefits for passengers in terms of transport safety and reduced journey times. The rail network will also be better connected to the other neighbouring countries.
The following day, on Wednesday 15 May, the Commission also gave its approval for investment of €166 million from the cohesion fund to upgrade a key railway line in Slovenia. The total investment of €330 million aims to modernise the network by rebuilding and electrifying some parts of the TEN-T line. It is also a matter of making the railway safe and swifter to ensure that cargo lines are more competitive in the country. Commissioner Hahn took the view that this will “support Slovenia's shift to more sustainable forms of transport”. (MD/transl.jl)