Series of common tolls on improving energy interconnections and infrastructure energy and transport in EU were presented by Eliza Vozemberg-Vryonidi as Chair of the Committee on Transport and Tourism and Dimitris Tsiodras as a member of the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy of the European Parliament.
The amendments concern the Connecting Europe Facility, the EU financial programme that supports investment in cross-border energy infrastructure and transport infrastructure.
In their amendments, SW MEPs note that the improvement of energy interconnections and transboundary infrastructure can play a decisive role in reducing energy prices for consumers, in addressing the significant fluctuations in energy prices between EU Member States and in completing the Energy Union.
At the same time, they tabled amendments that the programme should respond to the specificities and needs of less connected regions, remote regions and islands, and financially support the development of transnational projects with a focus on ports, with the aim of improving competitiveness, safety and connecting them with the hinterland.
Additionally, the programme should take into account that some Member States in the periphery of Europe may need additional investment to enhance connectivity with the continental part of Europe and ensure that right of accessibility for people with disabilities throughout the European Transport Network and on all means of transport.
Finally, the Greek MEPs of the New Democracy, with their amendments, stressed that the transport infrastructure of the Union must allow for the rapid and efficient movement of military personnel, material and equipment, in particular in regions such as the Balkans and the Eastern Mediterranean, given the immediate proximity to third countries.
