ECR Vice-President Juraj Droba has been appointed rapporteur of the opinion on the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) programme for the 2028-2034 period. The plan is part of the next Multiannual Financial Framework proposed by the European Commission last July.

According to the Commission's proposal, the CEF consists of an 81 billion euro pot dedicated to improving transport infrastructure, including funds reserved for military mobility and key dual-use infrastructure as well as for making energy infrastructure more resilient. The focus will also be on cross-border projects related to energy, transport and mobility, which are essential components for the competitiveness of European territories.

"The Connecting Europe Facility plan is ambitious and, if implemented correctly, can be decisive for growth and competitiveness for regions across Europe. Transport infrastructure are crucial assets to ensuring that our internal market functions well, enabling us to attract more companies to invest in our economies. The Facility must be implemented strategically to maximise the value added to local economies and communities, while making the EU more resilient and competitive", said Vice-President Droba.