Hopefully on the way to a dual-use TEN-T network
The EU Commission’s proposal for the next Multiannual Financial Framework, for 2028 to 2034 unveiled on July 16th, 2025, shows the ambition. For the transport sector, Commissioner Tzitzikostas announced that the package includes a strong proposal for a Connecting Europe Facility III, with a transport budget of 51,5 billion euro i.e. two times bigger than the budget in the current MFF. The envelope includes 17,65 billion euro for military mobility. This is a big leap forward which represents a 10-time increase compared to the current MFF. It is a clear signal to stakeholders that now is the time to advance major projects that once seemed too ambitious or underfunded.
The TEN‑T network is increasingly being repositioned as a dual‑use backbone - realigned through well-defined military mobility corridors, mapped hotspots, enhanced funding, and streamlined governance. The ambition: by 2028 and beyond, a resilient, strategically coherent network capable of serving both civilian transportation and EU‑NATO defence needs.
It is crucial that the European Parliament and Member States also match the ambition shown by the European Commission in laying the groundwork for the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) from 2028 to 2034.
The EU faces complex and evolving challenges: climate change, digitalisation, geopolitical instability, defence needs, and demographic shifts. If the Parliament and Member States fall short of the Commission’s ambition, the EU risks underfunding critical areas, undermining its ability to respond to these threats and opportunities.
To remain globally competitive and less dependent on external powers, the EU must invest in innovation, energy security, and industrial capacity. A strong MFF will support these goals, especially through its funding instruments.
Recent crises - COVID-19, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, inflation - have shown the need for a more agile and well-resourced EU budget. An ambitious MFF must include flexible instruments and reserves, which require broad political commitment to design and fund.
Matching the Commission’s ambition is not just about agreeing on numbers - it is about setting the EU up for resilience, competitiveness, and solidarity in an increasingly uncertain world. A bold, coordinated approach will determine the Union's capacity to deliver on its priorities and values through 2034 but also beyond.
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