Trans-European transport network: Union guidelines. Recast

The European Parliament adopted by 617 votes to 8, with 11 abstentions, a legislative resolution on the proposal for a decision of the European Parliament and of the Council on Community guidelines for the development of the trans-European transport network (recast).

It adopted its position at first reading under the ordinary legislative procedure (formerly known as the codecision procedure), taking into account the recommendations of the Consultative Working Party of the legal services of the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission. The amendments adopted in plenary are a result of a compromise reached between the European Parliament and the Council.

The necessary amendments consist of adding the maps relating to the 10 Member States listed in the 2003 Act of Accession in Annex I of Decision 1692/96/EC to the existing maps relating to the 15 countries that were Members of the European Union before the enlargement of 1 May 2004.

In the interests of clarity, Annex I of Decision No 1692/96/EC should be replaced with a new Annex containing the maps concerning all of the Member States. This would ensure that the maps already contained in that Decision as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 1791/2006 are supplemented by those contained in the 2003 Act of Accession. Moreover the target date for the plan is 2020 for all of the Member States.

It should also be added that a Committee should be empowered, in particular, to assist the Commission when it examines the implementation and development of the guidelines laid down by this Decision.