Trans-European networks: rules for the granting of funding (Regulation (EC) No 2236/95). Annual report 1999

PURPOSE : to present the 1999 annual report on the Trans-European Networks CONTENT : The Commission sets out the progress made with the individual trans-European network projects in the transport, energy, and telecommunications sectors. As far as legislation is concerned, 1999 saw the adoption of an amending regulation on TENs financing, providing for total funding of EUR 4.6 billion for the period 2000 to 2006, and the setting up of ISPA with a budget of 520 million per year for major transport infrastructure works in the central and eastern Europe applicant countries for the same period. 1999 also saw steady progress across the whole sector of trans-European networks and the emergence of Galileo as one of the most significant TEN project. With regard to specific projects, decisive progress has been made on seven of the ten priority projects listed by the Essen European Council in December 1994. The principal sections of the five gas projects became operational. As regards the five electric projects, the situation is less favourable. The connection between Northern Portugal and Spain became operational and the Italy-Greece interconnection is in the active construction phase. The other three have not overcome the difficulties facing them as regards administrative authorisations or viability/financing. Of the 80 TEN-ISDN-Telecom projects for 1999, 35 were completed by the end of the year. In addition, there were 28 projects co-funded by TEN-Telecom, as part of joint calls in the areas of multimedia and tourism SMEs. On transport, steady progress has been made with regard to all 14 projects identified by the Essen European Council. Special mention should be made to the completion of the final section of the Oresund Fixed Link between Sweden and Denmark.�