14 Nov 13 - 18:36
The aim is to establish a well-connected area for aviation, rail, maritime and road transport
European Commission Vice-President Siim Kallas, responsible for transport, said: "Cooperation in the transport sector is key for the social and economic integration of the Mediterranean area. It will facilitate trade, connect people, and bring prosperity on all sides of the Mediterranean."
In the Joint Declaration released after the Conference Ministers have agreed on:
- the priorities and guidelines for future cooperation on regulatory reforms and convergence;
- the development of the Trans-Mediterranean Transport Network (TMN-T) and its future connection to the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T);
- the organisation of another conference before the end of 2015 to address funding of the development of the TMN-T.
Infrastructure projects that have been financed in the areas of road,
rail, port and logistics by the EU, the European Investment Bank and
the Secretariat of Union for the Mediterranean. These projects will help
to build the Trans-Mediterranean Transport Network (TMN-T). For example, the
Mediterranean Motorways of the Sea projects aim at identifying the
essential maritime connections between the two shores of the
Mediterranean.
In 2011, the European Commission presented a plan to build better
transport connections with the EU's neighbours. Since then, the
cooperation focuses on removing the barriers to smooth transport and
promotes regulatory convergence in areas like safety, security, social
affairs and environmental protection. Responding to the 2011 events in
the region, the EU also promoted a specific partnership for democracy
and shared prosperity for the Southern Mediterranean.
