The four northern counties want to see increased EU funding for infrastructure
The TEN-T transport network is to become the backbone of the EU's internal market. It can make rural areas and remote regions more accessible. Only then can residents and local businesses benefit from the common transport market. Europaforum Norra Sverige (EFNS) therefore expresses its strong support for EU transport policy. This applies in particular to investments in the priority European transport corridors (ETC).
- We at Europaforum Northern Sweden would like to emphasize the importance of continued investments in the prioritized European transport corridors. They are crucial for implementing the trans-European transport network, TEN-T, says Erik Lövgren (S), rapporteur for Europaforum Northern Sweden.
The Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) is a funding method that the EU uses to promote growth, jobs and competitiveness through infrastructure investments. All EU countries apply through the CEF to receive funding. The CEF involves a lot of money that is distributed to the member states. The funds affect what infrastructure is built in Europe.
Increased funding
Now the CEF will have a successor. Europaforum Norra Sverige believes that the new financial instrument needs to include increased funding.
It is important that the TEN-T network is completed by 2030. This is necessary to meet the challenges that Europe is facing. These include climate change and geopolitical tensions. For this, more money is needed. EFNS believes that additional funding should also come from regional funds and other instruments such as Invest EU.
- "We emphasize that the successor to the CEF must be strengthened in order to be able to realize the TEN-T network and meet the large investment needs. We also want to emphasize the necessity of a central management of the successor to the CEF. This is necessary to ensure the implementation of infrastructure projects of high European value," says Erik Lövgren.
Eliminate bottlenecks
In northern Sweden, investments are needed through the EU's Regional Development Funds (ERDF). This applies in particular to projects to remove bottlenecks and improve access to cross-border transport networks.
The projects Mittstråket and the E12 stretch between Sweden, Norway and Finland are highlighted as examples of cross-border cooperation. In addition, EFNS believes that airports in sparsely populated areas in the north need broader investment opportunities. This is necessary to ensure accessibility and promote regional growth.
Investments in northern Sweden, which also include investments in sustainable aviation, are considered to be of great importance for the region's future competitiveness.
FACTS: Europaforum Northern Sweden
How do EU strategies, action programs, laws and budgets affect northern Sweden? Europaforum Norra Sverige is a political network between the four northernmost counties in Sweden, where EU issues are analyzed and discussed. The aim is to present northern Sweden's perspective and contribute to EU policy that benefits our part of the European Union.
The work in EFNS is based on common positions. The positions are always adopted after unanimous decisions by representatives of different counties, so-called rapporteurs. The EFNS network operates across party lines to safeguard the interests of northern Sweden.