Written by Marketa Pape (4th edition),

Transport infrastructure
© madpixblue / Fotolia

The EU supports the development of high-performing, sustainable and interconnected trans-European networks in the areas of transport, energy and digital infrastructure. It set up the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) as a dedicated financing instrument for the 2014-2020 period, to channel EU funding into the development of infrastructure networks, help eliminate market failures and attract further investment from the public and private sectors. Following a mid-term evaluation, the European Commission proposed to renew the programme under the next long‑term EU budget.

Negotiations between the Council and the European Parliament on the content of the proposal reached a partial provisional agreement, leaving aside the budget section and the questions relating to third countries. The agreement was approved by EU ambassadors and adopted by the Parliament at first reading on 17 April 2019. Discussions in the Council on the EU’s 2021-2027 budget resumed when the Finnish Presidency of the Council published its ‘negotiating box’ in December 2019 and then with the proposal put forward in February 2020 by the President of the European Council, Charles Michel. However, Member States have not yet reached an agreement.

In reaction to the coronavirus crisis and to the demand of the European Council, the Commission proposed an EU recovery fund and the adjusted Multiannual Financial Framework on 27 May 2020, also modifying the amounts to be allocated to the 2021-2027 CEF programme.

Versions

Proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing the Connecting Europe Facility and repealing Regulations (EU) No 1316/2013 and (EU) No 283/2014
Committees responsible: Transport and Tourism (TRAN)
Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE)
(joint committee procedure, Rule 55)		 COM(2018) 438
of 6.6.2018
Rapporteurs: Marian-Jean Marinescu (EPP, Romania)
Henna Virkkunen (EPP, Finland)
Dominique Riquet (Renew, France)		 2018/0228(COD)
Next steps expected Trilogue negotiations with a view to an early second-reading agreement Ordinary legislative procedure (COD) (Parliament and Council on equal footing – formerly ‘co-decision’)