TEN-T Days 2008: Time for change? - Main contents

The European Commission launches today a two-day stakeholder conference as an opening for reviewing the trans-European transport networks' policy. The review process shall address major challenges the European Union is facing in the coming decades – climate change, competitiveness, social and economic cohesion. The opening event or TEN-T Days 2008 hosts around 500 experts representing all transport sectors, Member States, candidate and neighbouring countries, researchers and users, constructors and investors.

"The high-level political representation and the participation at today's conference of top technical experts from all over Europe clearly show that the Commission's searching for ambitious transport solutions finds broad support", said Commission Vice-President Antonio Tajani responsible for Transport.

TEN-T Days 2008 is dedicated to a broad discussion on the development of the trans-European transport networks' (TEN-T) policy. With the involvement of stakeholders from all areas concerned, it is expected to have an important input for drafting the Commission's Green Paper on the future of TEN-T policy. This Paper will be published in early 2009 and followed by a public consultation. It will set out options for further developing this policy area.

The TEN-T policy, building on fifteen years of experience, has already led to major achievements, such us the completion of important cross-border high-speed railway axes or the development of the Galileo project. Options for its further development in the next 10 to 20 years shall take account of new technologies, both in transport and transport-related energy sectors, respond to forward-looking needs and make best possible use of transport infrastructure.

On the basis of the Green Paper, the public debate and more technical analysis, the Commission will evaluate the need for concrete measures for further developing TEN-T policy, among others in 2010, a revision of Community Guidelines for TEN-T.

General information in the TEN-T Days is available on the following website:

http://ten-t-days.teamwork.fr/