The ‘Fehmarn’ project as part of the ‘Connecting Europe Facility’
6.11.2014
Question for written answer E-008856-14
to the Commission
Rule 130
Jens Geier (S&D) , Helga Trüpel (Verts/ALE)
Article 171 TFEU provides that account shall be taken of the potential economic viability of the projects of common interest. The EU guidelines for the development of the Trans-European Transport Network (Regulation (EU) 1315/2013) require that applications for EU funding for projects of common interest must be accompanied by a socioeconomic cost‐ benefit analysis based on a recognised methodology which takes into account the relevant social, economic, climate-related and environmental costs and benefits.
The ‘Fehmarn’ (railway) project listed in Annex I of Regulation (EU) 1316/2013 establishing the ‘Connecting Europe Facility’ was unable to meet the minimum criteria because the accompanying cost-benefit analysis (2004) was out of date and there were doubts about whether the costs and benefits referred to above were properly established.
In view of the above, will the Commission say:
- 1.Was the Commission aware of the findings of the cost-benefit analysis and, if so, was the European Parliament notified, in accordance with Regulation (EU) 1315/2013 and Regulation (EU) 1316/2013?
- 2.Can the Commission state why — also in view of the doubts expressed in various quarters about the cost-benefit analysis — it believes that the ‘Fehmarn’ project meets the minimum requirements of Regulation No 1315/2013 and Article 171 TFEU?
- 3.What funding framework did the Commission provide for the project under the ‘Connecting Europe Facility’?