The European Commission has published a communication on trans-European infrastructure, entitled ''Trans-European Networks: Towards an Integrated Approach''. This communication of 21 March was prepared by the steering group charged with addressing this issue, chaired by Vice-President Jacques Barrot and made up of several commissioners, including Viviane Reding.
The communication describes the current state of play on trans-European transport, energy and telecommunications networks. It goes on to seek possible synergies between these networks, ways of reconciling their development with respect for the environment, and improved financing methods.
Having analysed the synergies between the networks, it is concluded that the construction of combined infrastructures offers real possibilities for reducing both their cost and environmental impact. Synergies between telecommunications and transport networks, such as putting telecommunications cables along railway lines, are seen as being the most promising.
It was noted that while the telecom sector has been a pioneer in the development of trans-European networks, even in this sector, trans-border markets have been very slow to emerge. This will be in the mind of the Commission as it sets out the way forward.
Further information:
- Communication from Vice-President Barrot, Ms Reding, Ms Hübner, Ms Grybauskaite, Mr Dimas, Mr Almunia And Mr Piebalgs - Trans-European Networks: Towards an Integrated Approach http://ec.europa.eu/ten/transport/legislation/doc/com_2007_0135_en.pdf
- Commission Communication: towards an integrated approach to trans-European transport, energy and telecommunications networks http://www.europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/07/380&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en
- The Trans-European Transport Networks ''TEN-T'' http://ec.europa.eu/ten/transport/legislation/index_en.htm
Related information on ANACOM's website:
- EU - European Union https://www.anacom.pt/render.jsp?categoryId=66653
