Trans-European Networks

The Trans-European Networks (TENs) are large infrastructure networks for transport, energy, and telecommunications connecting the 27 member states within the European Union (EU). These networks contribute to the further development of the internal market by [Page 1610]enabling the free movement of goods and persons, integrating the EU economically and socially, and supporting less favored areas within member states. Improving the interconnection and interoperability of the EU's infrastructure is a major element in enhancing the EU's competiveness, thereby creating economic growth, while simultaneously ensuring development within the Union is balanced and sustainable.

TENs' origins are found in the 1992 Maastricht Treaty, which brought forth the agreement that the Union's integration would require the development of trans-European networks. In 1994, the European Council identified 14 priority projects for network development, which were approved in 1996 by the European Parliament and Council of the European Union. In 2004, additional projects were added to the list based on the European Action for Growth initiative.

The funding of TENs projects is specific to each project and may be based on European Structural and Cohesion Funds, loans from the European Investment Bank, loan guarantees from the European Investment Fund, or other financing options.

Transport

The EU considers Trans-European Transport Networks (TEN-T) to be essential in ensuring the free movement of passengers and goods among member states. The network consists of the Union's motorways, railways, waterways, ports, and airports that need to be linked within the 27 member states and other European countries. The goal of European policy is to develop an integrated Europe-wide transportation infrastructure that is both efficient and sustainable. In the absence of TEN-T, the increase in the Union's transportation demands would be challenging to manage and would have a negative impact on economic growth. Through more effective use of rail and sea transport, the networks will also enable a reduction in vehicle emissions and congestion on roads, thereby enabling the Union to balance growth and the environment simultaneously.

Construction until 2020 on the network will involve not only complementing existing transportation networks by building the last missing motorways or railways to create a cross-border network, but will also significantly upgrade existing motorways, railways, and waterways. One of the TEN-T projects includes a high-speed railway for passenger travel between Paris, Brussels, Cologne, Amsterdam, and London, which connects five member states. Another TEN-T project entails creating a network of sea motorways that will enable a more effective use of sea routes, better connect peripheral and island regions to member states, and reduce road congestion. Various sea motorway projects have been identified to achieve this goal, such as the Baltic Sea motorway linking the member states in this region with member states in central and western Europe.

Energy

The EU's energy policy considers the Trans-European Energy Networks (TEN-E) to be an important priority in developing an internal energy market and creating a diversified and secure energy supply for member states. Furthermore, the Union's policy objectives include improving competitiveness in gas and electricity industries, and balancing the energy needs of the Union with protecting the environment. As a part of protecting the environment and securing supply, the Union's energy strategy is to pursue renewable energy sources and focus on issues with energy efficiency. Additionally, this strategy entails improving the energy network between member states and other European partner countries.

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