Naples, July 07: Transport ministers from 27 European countries on Saturday urged the EU to quickly adopt proposals for big transport projects aimed at boosting the bloc’s competitively as it enlarges east and southward. Their call dovetailed with an Italian idea to revive sluggish European growth through investment in infrastructure via European Investment Bank (EIB) bonds — a proposal that has rekindled interest in the so-called Trans-European Networks (TENs).

“Europe has a gaping need for better transport links
and Italy is saying investment in infrastructure can improve growth. The two points go together very well,” said EU Transport Commissioner Loyola de Palacio after talks in the southern Italian city of Naples.

EU experts last week unveiled a list of transport priorities needing billions of euros of funding. Bureau Report