The European Parliament adopted by 443 votes to 156, with 14 abstentions, a legislative resolution on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on streamlining measures for advancing the realisation of the trans-European transport network.
The European Parliament adopted at first reading under the ordinary legislative procedure should amend the Commission's proposal as follows.
Projects of common interest
The trans-European transport networks (TEN-T) have a dual layer structure: the core network comprises those parts of the network which have the greatest strategic significance for the Union, and the comprehensive network ensures connectivity between all regions in the Union. This Regulation sets out requirements applicable to the administrative procedures followed by the competent authorities of Member States in relation to the authorisation and implementation of all projects of common interest on the core network of the trans-European transport network relating to Regulation (EU) No 1315/2013, including the pre-selected projects listed in Part III of the Annex to the Regulation establishing the ‘Connecting Europe Facility’ 2021-2027.
Member States may decide to extend the application of all provisions of this Regulation, as a block, to projects of common interest on the comprehensive network of the trans-European transport network.
Procedures for granting authorisations
In order to meet the time limits set out in Article 6 and reduce the administrative burden related to the completion of projects of common interest, all the permit granting procedures resulting from the applicable law, including the relevant environmental assessments, both at national and Union level, shall be integrated and result in only one comprehensive decision, without prejudice to transparency, public participation, environmental and safety requirements under Union law.
Deadlines
Parliament introduced clear, specific deadlines at each stage of the permit granting procedure. The pre-application phase, covering the period from the start of the permit granting procedure to the submission of the complete application file to the single competent authority, shall in principle not exceed 18 months (instead of two years). A maximum period for the whole of this procedure has also been introduced – and reduced to less than three years.
Single competent authority
Member States should designate a single competent authority so that core network projects may benefit from the integration of permitting procedures and a single point of contact for investors. Members suggested that the single competent authority may, if necessary, delegate this competence, obligations and tasks to another authority at the appropriate administrative level (regional, local or other).
Joint authority for cross-border projects
Members proposed that the respective competent authorities may establish a joint competent authority if a project of common interest requires decisions to be taken in two or more Member States, or in one or more Member States and one or more third countries.
Financial assistance from the Union
A new provision has been introduced to take into account the respect of the deadlines set by the Regulation as one of the selection criteria for projects submitted to the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF). Delays with regards to the stages and deadlines set out in the Regulation would justify an investigation of the progress of the project and the revision of the financial assistance received from the Union under the CEF and may lead to a reduction or withdrawal of financial assistance.
Technical assistance
At the request of a project promoter or a Member State, the Union shall make available technical assistance, advisory services and financial assistance for the implementation of the Regulation and the facilitation of the implementation of projects of common interest at each stage of the process.