Brussels, 25/11/2003 (Agence Europe) - On Monday the Transport Commissioner, Loyola de Palacio, attempted to reassure the European Parliament's Transport Committee: the draft decision concerning 29 priority projects in the Trans European Networks for transport (TEN-T), adopted on 1 October (EUROPE of 2 October, p.6) and the 'Quick Start' programme contained in the report on the European Initiative for Growth and aimed at rapidly starting-up some of these projects (EUROPE of 13 November, p. 7), are 'complementary.' Moreover, the co-decision continues to govern the matter, assured the Commissioner.
It is the President of the Transport Committee Paolo Costa (Liberal group, Italian) who was first to express his concern. For Mr Costa, we risk failing to take into account the essential projects as the others (those from the Quick Start programme) are easier to achieve. Most of the MEPs present expressed their fears. For the German Social Democrat Wilhelm Piecyk, the 'Quick Start' programme created confusions. The Belgian Liberal Dirk Sterckx pondered the role of the Parliament with regards to the choice of 'Quick Start' programmes. Trans European Networks for transport stem from co-decision, the European Council is not the legislator over TENs, forcefully argued the German Christian Democrat Georg Jarzembowski (last October's European Council called for proposals for this programme, which will be examined by the European Council on 12 and 13 December: Ed.)
This is not a separate list. However, among the 29 priority programmes, we have taken the cross-border sections, which may begin immediately, explained Mrs de Palacio. She added that this is a 'quick list' and not a 'short list.' In short, this is a case of accelerating things and not reducing the number of priority projects. If it fails, this 'quick list' is a bush fire, she indicated while reiterating her concerns for the problem of financing, notably through national budgets and the need to have private sector participation. In the face of MEP concerns, Mrs de Palacio was clear: the Parliament's role in the matter lies within co-decision. If the projects on this 'quick list' are not accepted, is will simply not be a 'quick list', she argued. Ms de Palacio concluded: I agree with you, Mr Jarzembowski, the European Council is not the legislator.