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European Parliament approves 'blank cheques' for unviable transport
projects
New financing rules for Trans-European Transport Networks (TEN-Ts), approved
yesterday by the European Parliament, will cause billions of Euros to be
spent on transport infrastructure projects regardless of economic
feasibility or environmental impact according to CEE Bankwatch, Friends of
the Earth Europe and Transport and Environment (T&E).
Existing mechanisms designed to protect misuse of transport funds are
failing, as illustrated by recent developments in the case of the Messina
Bridge project in Italy. The Commission called the Italian government to
account in a letter last week over claims they failed to produce a valid
Project Impact Assessment with regard to two Special Protected Areas. The
issue only came to light after a formal complaint from WWF-Italy was sent to
the Commission in 2003 (1).
MEPs have rejected the need for independent assessments despite massively
increasing European investment in transport infrastructure in a resolution
adopted last June that called for the quadrupling of so-called 'Priority
Project' funding to EUR 20.490bn for the next budget period (2).
The NGO coalition is deeply concerned that key amendments calling for
independent assessment of project viability and cost benefit analyses (CBA)
were rejected, while a Commission proposal to raise the percentage of EU
investment in cross-border projects from 20% to 50% was approved.
Markus Liechti of T&E said, "The Parliament is more than happy to spend tax
payers' money but has failed in its duty to get value-for-money. It will
now be even easier for blank cheques to be written for projects, regardless
of whether or not they are viable."
Anelia Stefanova of CEE Bankwatch commented: "The Messina case is by no
means unique, but clearly shows the need for independent analysis of the
viability of projects and thorough environmental assessments. It is
especially important for new member states where transport infrastructure is
booming. We need more double checks, and no more blank cheques".
Further information:
Dudley Curtis, Communications Officer, T&E +32 2 289 1042, dudley.curtis@t-e.nu
Markus Liechti, Policy Officer, T&E +32 2 502 9909, markus.liechti@t-e.nu
Viviane Raddatz, BUND / Friends of the Earth Germany +49 302 758 6484, viviane.raddatz@bund.net
Anelia Stefanova, CEE Bankwatch +39 076 527 6004, anelias@bankwatch.org
Notes:
(1) WWF Italy Press Release - 25 October
http://www.panda.org/about_wwf/where_we_work/europe/what_we_do/policy_and_events/epo/news.cfm?uNewsID=24255
(2) Böge Report on Policy Challenges and Budgetary Means of the enlarged Union 2007-2013
(2004/2209(INI)) - EP Vote 8 June
