On February 19th, the Transport and Tourism (TRAN) Committee met for a structured dialogue with Transport Commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas who presented the transport and tourism related aspects of the Commission Work Programme for 2025.
Topics discussed included the Sustainable Transport Investment Plan (STIP), rail and multimodal transport, the competitiveness of the maritime and port sectors and military mobility.
Commissioner Tzitzikostas explained in his introductory presentation how the STIP should channel investments to the decarbonisation of transport, stressing the Plan will feature actions to accelerate investments in sustainable maritime fuels production and the rollout of recharging infrastructure. He highlighted that the STIP will include roadmaps for each transport mode, focussing for example on financial mechanisms aimed at de-risking private sector investments while improving the supply of sustainable energy as well as international cooperation on the production and distribution of alternative fuels.
Mr Tzitzikostas reiterated the Commission’s plans to propose a maritime industrial strategy by the end of 2025 aiming at enhancing the EU’s industrial base in complex maritime technologies. Alluding to the European Port Strategy, the Transport Commissioner highlighted its strong sustainability component, adding that the strategy will also focus on security, safety, funding and innovation, and economic independence.
MEP reactions to the presentation focussed for example on military mobility, with MEP Gieseke (EPP, Germany) calling on the Commission to make it a priority in the next MFF. He also underlined the need of cutting red tape. MEP Oetjen (Renew Europe, Germany) underlined that CEF Transport is key for military mobility, but also for increasing investments in alternative fuels.
Responding to the remarks on military mobility, the Commissioner argued that the budget of EUR 1.7 billion in the previous MFF was too low and had already been spent three years ahead of schedule, while the actual investment needs amount to EUR 70 billion. Tzitzikostas therefore underlined his commitment to advocate for a higher military mobility budget in the upcoming MFF, also in view of upgrading civilian transport infrastructure to military standards. On the topic of administrative complexity, he reiterated his commitment to reducing regulatory burdens by 30%.
MEP Berendsen (EPP, Netherlands) asked the Commissioner about the timeline regarding the upcoming European Ports Strategy, for which he worked on an Own Initiative Report at the end of the previous parliamentary term. MEP Cynthia Ní Mhurchú (Renew Europe, Ireland) underlined the role of ports when it comes to both the transport and production of energy, asking how the Commissioner planned to ensure that regional ports will receive the necessary support for renewable energy production within the next MFF framework.
Commissioner Tzitzikostas, in his reaction to the second round of MEP questions, stressed that the STIP’s objective is to boost investment aimed at increasing the production of alternative fuels. He confirmed the presentation of the Port Strategy by the end of 2025.
Source: Dods and FEPORT
