The TEN-T policy is going to be reviewed. In order to move forward the discussion on TEN-T, gather different ideas and communicate future needs, the "TEN-T Days 2008" conference has been organised by DG TREN (European Commission).

Read more on Eva Lichtenberger's speech. She is draftsperson for the TEN-T green paper on the future TEN-T policy

14-10-2008 TEN-T Days 2008; Workshop 4

The "added value" of TEN-T policy: Have 15 years of Community action proven its worth, and how to further strengthen its effectiveness?

Presentation of Eva Lichtenberger, Member of the European Parliament

The TEN-T - Priority Projects are the most visible part of European Transport Policy and is recognised by the European Society as such.

• First important added value concerns the awareness which has been raised. Member States have moved towards a form of trans-European thinking in transport and by doing so have overcome the "federal logics" in funding.
• Second important added value is the focus on rail transport although the shift of investment to railways has been insufficient until now, while there are still considerable funds available for roads. Furthermore, whilst discussing rail freight transport, we should not forget about the rail passenger transport.
• A further added value considers the acceptance of European Union Transport Policies in the Member States (especially New Member States). Given the growth of nationalism, placing the focus European values rather than on national pride is a crucial point.
• Finally, it is no longer sufficient to involve only present stakeholders that society does not identify with. This causes growing mistrust in big European "structures". It is necessary to consider the interests of the European citizens, the so called European civil society.

Furthermore, the following problems have been identified:

• the lack of financial resources of Member States (especially smaller Member States)
• lack of a framework for modal shift
• national pride determining the projects more than European transport needs

Climate change is the major challenge for mankind in the time being. Working together in tackling that problem means to overcome national egoisms. For the moment rail and sustainable modes of transport still do not count. On the winners' side are emission oriented modes. But also the pricing system favours the emitters. As long as the situation does not change to the opposite, we will not achieve any improvements!