Brussels, 06/02/2015 (Agence Europe) - The proposed high-speed train link between Lyon and Turin is being investigated by the European Anti-fraud Office, OLAF. The problem now is that the project was expected to take part at the end of the month in a call for funding as part of the Connecting Europe Facility.
OLAF confirmed on Friday 6 February that it had opened an investigation into this project that is highly controversial on both sides of the Alps. In December of last year, two French Green MEPs, Michèle Rivasi and Karima Delli drew the attention of OLAF, an independent European body, to suspicions of links between the Mafia and some Italian companies, allegations of falsification of calls for offer and, in France, possible conflicts of interest in procurement contracts, along with unexplained extra costs and obstacles to competition. OLAF is expected to deliver its conclusions within six months.
The European Commission did not wish to comment in order to respect the presumption of innocence but this project is close to its heart. It is a priority project for European funding. France and Italy are also expected to present tunnel plans in the EU's annual call for proposals under the Connecting Europe Facility. The call is open until 26 February. Of the projected €8.5 billion cost of constructing the 57-kilometre long tunnel linking Lyon and Turin, 40% could be provided by the EU. (MD)