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EuroMed Transport partners voice needs for funding of new projects
29-07-2010
EuroMed Transport national coordinators and their sectoral and financial experts have met in Brussels to discuss the mandate of the new Financing Task Force of the Euromed Transport Forum, expressing their needs for attracting funding to implement priority projects on the future Trans-Mediterranean Transport Network (TMT-N).
A press release said the regional task force should address the difficulties in obtaining adequate financing for the various transport infrastructure projects foreseen in the region, and share experiences between countries in modern financing and concession techniques for large infrastructure projects as well as donor coordination and the planning of regional/cross-border projects.
This task force also serves as a dedicated platform for the transport sector to follow up ongoing general discussions in the framework of the Union for the Mediterranean on attracting more funds to the region as a whole. In this respect, the task force discussed a draft paper which not only addresses the need for more funds for infrastructure projects in general, but also possible involvement as regards long-term concessions for transport projects and other means which can be taken by the countries themselves to attract more private financing.
Besides additional private sector participation, the task force stressed the need for a clear commitment from the EU in this respect. The EU has already made some funds available for technical assistance, helping the further preparation of identified projects in the partner countries. Concrete projects with a clear regional perspective, such as cross-border rail links in the Maghreb, between Jordan and Syria, Syria and Lebanon and even connections with Israel, are on the table.
The Euromed Transport project aims to assist the implementation of the Regional Transport Action Plan (RTAP) for the Mediterranean (2007-2013), contributing to the establishment of an integrated, efficient, safe and secure transport system in the region, recognised as a key factor for the development and stability and the increase of intra-regional trade. Specifically, it seeks to pursue the modernisation and strengthening of administrative capacities, improve infrastructure networks, ensuring technical and administrative interoperability, to mobilise national, regional and international sources of funding, and to enhance safety and security, especially in road and maritime sectors.
1st Meeting of the Task Force on Financial Issues – key documents
EuroMed Transport – fiche and news
EuroMed Transport – website
ENPI Info Centre – Interview with Euromed Transport assistant manager Dalila Achour-Limam
