On 22 October, the Finnish Presidency of the Council of the European Union submitted a second draft compromise on the rationalisation measures to be taken in order to make progress towards the completion of the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T)). This document, of which EUROPE received a copy, will be examined by the national experts of the EU Council's working party on transport, intermodal issues and networks on Monday 11 November.
While Helsinki retains the approach suggested by the previous Romanian Presidency (see EUROPE 12260/20) of setting up a directive rather than a regulation, as initially planned by the European Commission (see EUROPE 12022/11), some changes are nevertheless to be noted.
First of all, with regard to the scope of the text, the Finnish Presidency proposes that projects exclusively related to telematics applications, new technologies and innovation should clearly be excluded from the scope of application, as their deployment is not limited to the TEN-T central network.
Secondly, with regard to granting of permits to projects, this new text provides for the possibility of extending the duration of permit procedures in duly justified cases, including when unforeseeable circumstances arise or when it is necessary to protect the environment.
In addition, for Helsinki, contrary to what was previously foreseen, the administrative authority designated by the Member State as the main point of contact for information for project promoters does not have to automatically provide guidance to advise them in the submission of all relevant documents and information. It will only need to do so if it has been requested in advance.
Finally, this second draft compromise specifies that, if Member States allow, the designated authority may also provide the project promoter with guidance on additional information and/or documents to be provided in the event of rejection of a notification.
According to information gathered by EUROPE, it is likely that a political agreement in the EU Council ('general approach') on this dossier will be reached by December. In any case, this was the objective set by the Finnish Minister of Transport, Sanna Marin (see EUROPE 12303/6), on 24 July. (Original version in French by Damien Genicot)