ECR Vice-President Juraj Droba today held an exchange of views on his opinion on the "Connecting Europe Facility 2028-2034" regulation at the CoR COTER Commission meeting. 

"With a proposed financial envelope of €84 billion, the Connecting Europe Facility offers great opportunities for regions and territories to benefit from investments in transport infrastructure", said Vice-President Droba who underlined how the CEF is "a key program in connecting Europe's regions and enhancing our security and competitiveness".

With €51.5 billion allocated to the transport sector (up from €25.8 billion in the current MFF), there will also be a focus on military mobility to support dual-use infrastructure investments alongside civilian ones and contribute to a major boost for cybersecurity, infrastructure and defence development overall.

For transport, the CEF aims to contribute to the completion of the Trans-European Transport Network (‘TEN-T’). The CEF will also focus on infrastructure projects with a strong cross-border dimension, an important aspect to boost growth and keep cohesion at the core of Europe's investments.

"Europe's infrastructure remain structurally underfinanced and fragmented, with significant territorial differences. We call for a stronger territorial dimension and a more visible role for local and regional authorities in the management of CEF", added Mr Droba who concluded by stressing the importance to "conduct careful assessment of the infrastructure investments bringing most added value, connecting the most lagging and remote regions to Europe's core".

The opinion is foreseen to be adopted at the COTER Commission on 5 February, followed by a plenary vote on 6-7 May.