Brussels, 10/04/2001 (Agence Europe) - In its most recent plenary session, the European Parliament adopted the report by Wilhelm Ernst Piecyk (PES, Germany) in third reading indicating the ports which will be included in the trans-European transport networks (TENs) and can therefore benefit from funding. In January 2001, the EP and the Council managed to thrash out an agreement in the conciliation procedure on a draft Decision to amend the list of TENs drawn up in 1996, to include seaports, Community ports and regional ports (see EUROPE of 26 January, p. 10).
The European Transport Commissioner, Loyola de Palacio, welcomed the adoption of the Decision "after more than three years of effort". She commented that, "thanks to this agreement, the transport logistics chain is finally complete and will ensure the development of a more integrated common transport policy: this is a further step towards the promotion of ports in Europe", adding that by integrating ports into the TENs, it will be "possible to revitalise them and to crease links with the main roads, railways and waterways".
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