Trans-European transport network: Union guidelines. Recast

PURPOSE: to recast the Decision on the Community guidelines for the development of the trans-European transport network.

LEGISLATIVE ACT: Decision No 661/2010/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council on Union guidelines for the development of the trans-European transport network.

CONTENT: following a first-reading agreement with the European Parliament under the ordinary legislative procedure, the Council adopted a recast of a decision on guidelines for the development of the trans-European transport network, originally adopted in 1996. The recast includes the various amendments made to the decision over time and incorporates new amendments necessary to take account of the enlargement of the EU to 27 Member States.

The necessary amendments consist of adding the maps relating to the 10 Member States listed in the 2003 Act of Accession in Annex I to the Decision to the existing maps relating to the 15 countries that were Members of the European Union before the enlargement of 1 May 2004. This amendment was provided for in Article 1(15) of Decision No 884/2004/EC and it must be made. In accordance with Decision No 884/2004/EC, the target date for the trans-European network outline plan for the 10 Member States in the 2003 Act of Accession is 2020 rather than 2010. In the interests of clarity, it is proposed to replace Annex I to the codified text with a new Annex I which would include the maps concerning the 27 Member States of the European Union.

The objective is to establish such a network gradually by 2020, by integrating land, sea and air transport infrastructure networks throughout the Union.

ENTRY INTO FORCE: 25/08/2010.