Brussels, 23/06/2003 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission is to adopt a communication on the development of a Euro-Mediterranean transport network on Tuesday. This communication analyses the essential objectives of such a network, and the conditions to create it, in its south-south (among Mediterranean partners) and north-south (interconnection with trans-European transport network) dimensions. It focuses on three axes: developing infrastructures of the network, their funding and the integration of objectives common to the EU and its Mediterranean partners in terms of transport policy, especially all aspects related to safety and security.
To develop the network infrastructure, the communication recommends:
encouraging sub-regional co-operation by favouring a differentiated approach and offering technical assistance, notably under the MEDA programme;
continuing network planning (which started under the MEDA programme and an initial rough draft of which will presented in 2004, before the finalisation planned for 2006) and identifying priority projects with major regional interest (such as creating "sea motorways" in the Mediterranean), which will be agreed by the Transport Ministers of the Euro-Mediterranean partners during a Euro-Mediterranean conference.
To fund this network, the communication recommends:
mobilising and combining private and public funding;
improving the co-ordination of available resources by setting up an independent structure to assess the technical and financial maturity of big infrastructure projects, their financial assembly and the promotion of the network; -
looking into granting Community loan guarantees at Euro-Mediterranean level to cover non-commercial risks.
The effective achievement of a Euro-Mediterranean transport network is only possible if common political objectives for transport can be set, particularly for issues relating to maritime or airline safety and security. The communication therefore recommends:
bringing the legislation of the Mediterranean partners closer to the Community acquis for maritime security, with a view to eventual harmonisation (for instance, banning single-hulled vessels from transporting heavy fuels). The Mediterranean partners could become associate members of the European Agency for Maritime Security;
encouraging them to bring in strict legislation on airline safety, to ensure convergence between Euro-Mediterranean legislation, and also considering their involvement in the European Agency for Airline Safety. The Commission could ask the Council for a negotiation mandate to conclude agreements ensuring reciprocal access to the airline market with Mediterranean partners;
promoting the adoption by these countries of international and Community measures for maritime and airline safety measures, and considering the creation of a Euro-Mediterranean Institute for safety and security;
promoting their involvement in Galileo, by opening up the opportunity for them to take part in the joint enterprise, and fostering their involvement in the chapters of the 6th framework programme for research and development which relate to the safety and security of the TENs.