Rhine-Danube Corridor

CEF support to Rhine-Danube Corridor - May 2020

CEF support to Rhine-Danube Corridor - April 2018

Overview

The Rhine-Danube Corridor provides the main east-west link across Continental Europe. Tracing its route along the Danube River, it connects Strasbourg and Southern Germany with the Central European cities of Vienna, Bratislava and Budapest, before passing through the Romanian capital Bucharest to culminate at the Black Sea port of Constanta. A second branch of the corridor tracks a path from Frankfurt to the Slovakian/Ukrainian border, linking Munich, Prague, Zilina and Kosice. Key projects situated along the corridor include improvements to the Good navigation status of the Danube River in all the riparian countries.

Main bottlenecks and missing links

The main missing links are cross-border rail network connections between Germany and its neighbours, France, Austria and the Czech Republic. Bottlenecks in Slovakia, Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria—and between Austria and Slovakia also need to be addressed. Navigation of the Rhine River and its connection with the Rhine-Main-Danube Canal are of a high standard, but must be matched by the Danube River if these inland waterways are to offer a genuine alternative modal choice as an unbroken, integrated corridor for freight transport. In addition, the Western Balkans section of the Danube plays an important part in the functioning of this corridor and must therefore attain similar high standards.

Success stories

Czech Republic aims with its railway projects to upgrade the rail infrastructure in order to eliminate the existing capacity and interoperability bottlenecks along the three Core Network Corridors crossing the country: Rhine-Danube, Orient-East Med and Baltic Adriatic. Most of these actions are in their early stages of implementation. Several sections of the Rhine – Danube Core Network Corridor will be upgraded in 2019 or 2020.

Romania focuses on the rehabilitation and the upgrade of the existing railway line between Braşov and the Hungarian-Romanian border, thereby removing the bottleneck between Braşov and Sighișoara. Because of changes in the procurement laws, the construction works will only start in autumn 2017, one year later than initially foreseen

The project "FAIRway Danube", which sees the involvement of Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Croatia and Bulgaria, aims to ensure cooperation among the waterway administrations of the riparian countries to facilitate the sharing of best practices to successfully implement works projects. This action is very relevant as it delivers twice a year National Action Plans to provide information on the fairway conditions and planned projects. The process for the acquisition of the necessary mobile equipment to carry out hydrological investigations and marking operations for a safe and more reliable navigation is almost completed.

The action "FAST Danube" located along the Romanian-Bulgarian Danube common section intends to develop an integrated concept to ensure a good navigation status and identify the capital dredging works in the Romanian-Bulgarian common section.

The "Upgrade of the Gabčíkovo locks" is the large scale first infrastructure Action financed through CEF and covers the replacement/reconstruction of several infrastructure components of the locks to increase safety and reliability of navigation, removing an important bottleneck in the Slovak section of the Danube.

CEF: Pre-identified projects

Closing event of the works upgrading the Port of Slavonski Brod, 16 June 2021

Inés Ayala Sender gave a keynote speech I which she welcomed the completion of infrastructure upgrading works at Port of Slavonski Brod. The European Coordinator highlighted the works as being part of a larger project aiming to also upgrade its connections with rail, road and IWW.

Coordinators’ seminar, 9 June 2021

Together with her colleague Coordinators, Inés Ayala Sender participated in the seminar organised by DG MOVE, Unit B1, to have an exchange of views on financing in view of the upcoming TEN-T revision

Opening event of Rhine-Danube Rail Freight Corridor, 8 June 2021

Inés Ayala Sender gave the keynote speech at the opening event of the Rhine-Danube Rail Freight Corridor.She said that rail has a crucial role to play to making the European transport system sustainable, safe and innovative while connecting people, cities and regions across the entire EU

Coordinators’ seminar, 1 June 2021

Together with her colleague Coordinators, Inés Ayala Sender participated in the seminar organised by DG MOVE, Unit B1, to have an exchange of views on MoS and IWW in view of the upcoming TEN-T revision

Coordinators’ seminar, 11 May 2021

Together with her colleague Coordinators, Inés Ayala Sender participated in the seminar organised by DG MOVE, Unit B1, to have an exchange of views on alternative fuels and ITS in view of the upcoming TEN-T revision

Meeting with Herald Ruijters, Director, Investment, Innovative & Sustainable Transport, 5 May 2021

Inés Ayala Sender had a meeting with Herald Ruijters to discuss her ongoing activities

Meeting with Kata Tutto, Deputy Mayor of Budapest, 21 April 2021

Inés Ayala Sender had a meeting with Ms Tutto to discuss the Danube and projects that are ongoing

Coordinators’ seminar, 20 April 2021

Together with her colleague Coordinators, Inés Ayala Sender participated in the seminar organised by DG MOVE, Unit B1, to have an exchange of views on Rail, ERTMS and road KPIs in view of the upcoming TEN-T revision

Meeting Matej Zakonjsek, Director of the TCT, 15 April 2021

Matej Zakonjsek set out the aim of the TCT and presented the new waterborne transport Action Plan and the SSMS Wester Balkan waterborne dimension. Ms Ayala Sender gave an overview of the 4th Rhine-Danube Corridor Work Plan and the challenges and the state of play of cross-border projects on the Danube. Both had a discussion on developing new projects for the next CEF 2021-2027.

Coordinators’ Seminar, 14 April 2021

Together with her colleague Coordinators, Inés Ayala sender participated in the seminar organised by DG MOVE, unit B1, to have an exchange of views on Third countries in view of the upcoming TEN-T revision

10th General Assembly of Pro Danube International, 26 March 2021

Inés Ayala Sender gave a keynote speech at the 10th anniversary of the General Assembly of Pro Danube International, congratulating PDI for their successful projects and underlining the importance of resilience and developed it from 4 different angles: resilient supply chains, resilient industry, resilient workforce and a resilient planet.

Chairman Herfried Leitner said that Danube needs to be seen as a service providing environment. He congratulated PDI as it is now seen as being the one and only voice for the Danube, being heard at political level.

Manfred Seitz as co-founder of PDI told the audience how he set up PDI together with late Alexandru Capatu, as an association of Danube businesses.

In the following keynote speeches INE, IWT Platform, EFIP and ViaDonau stressed the need to support inland navigation. Antonio Stoean from TTS (RO) gave an insight what his expectations and aspirations are, like a navigable Danube and ideas on how to green ports and vessels. General Secretary Robert Rafael informed participants about PDI’s approach to further cooperation and coordination for the needs of the IWT sector.

Rhine-Danube IWW Working Group and Rhine-Danube Corridor Forum meeting, 24 March 2021

Inés Ayala Sender participated in the 13th Working Group meeting of the Rhine-Danube Corridor on Ports and Inland Waterways, in which 58 persons representing ports and waterway management authorities participated in held. Hugues van Honacker gave an update on the EU legislative framework on inland waterway transport and focused on Naïades III. All the Danube riparian ports gave a presentation what the impact was of COVID from 2019 to date. Mario Sattler introduced the topic of digitalisation, presented the state of play and showed what are the future needs. Two excellent presentations were made, namely the Digital Twin Concept (APICA) and iSea. Hugues van Honacker gave food for thought what the revision of both AFID and the TEN-T guidelines could mean for ports and IWW vessels. Désirée Oen and Marta Wolska presented the conclusions of the GNS sub-group that could be taken up when redrafting the requirements for inland waterway transport, especially how to define Good Navigation Status.

In the afternoon, the Coordinator chaired the Rhine-Danube Corridor Forum meeting. 70 representatives from AT, BG, CZ, DE, HR, HU, RO and SK Ministries of Transport, as well as representatives of ports, rail, road and waterway administrations, RFC 9, EIB and river commissions participated. Mrs Ayala Sender first introduced herself and touched upon CEF 2 and the TEN-T revision. The consultants presented the state of play of the Rhine-Danube Corridor study by giving a general overview of the study progress and the results of the corridor study update by showing the compliance maps for all modes and hubs. The consultants developed the methodology how they identified relevant EU studies and policy actions with regard to TEN-T. The consultants finally explained the monitoring of the project implementation and mentioned that the project list update should be ready by end of May. The Danube riparian countries presented the COVID impacts on modal shift. Barbara Bernardi presented the transformation from INEA to CINEA and gave an overview of the Rhine-Danube projects portfolio. She underlined that CEF is supporting 3.8bn euro for 122 CEF actions out of the 736 mentioned in the Work Plan. Aigi Kasvand gave an overview of the EU funding opportunities in the multiannual framework 2021-2027. Désirée Oen presented the project TEN-T meets EYR.

METEET "EU environmental legislation requirements and inland waterway navigation projects", 16 March 2021

Inés Ayala Sender organised a workshop via WebEx, in which 138 participants representing environmental and transport departments of 11 EU Member States (AT,BE,BG, DE, FR, HR, HU, IT, RO, SK, PL) and 2 third countries (UA and RS) attended the event, next to representatives of waterway management authorities, EIB, Danube Commission, Sava Commission, ICPDR, CCNR, Jaspers, ViaDonau and colleagues from DG MOVE, ENV, REGIO and INEA, as well as her colleague-Coordinator Mathieu Grosch.

She gave a keynote speech, in which she referred to the Green Deal as the policy framework for future work, and clearly expressed the fact that EU funded projects can contribute to build a resilient transport system and to develop a carbon neutral continent by 2050. To do so, environment and transport departments of the MS will have to make a mental switch from working in silos to "work in an integrated team" pursuing an integrated approach. Reference to IWW as the cleanest mode of transport was made. Anna Livieratou (INEA) gave a brief overview of the extended mandate of the Agency and the new role of CINEA in terms of projects’ implementation. In creating a "Network" between the stakeholders involved in the projects’ implementation. Hans Sielstra (DG ENV) thanked all actors involved for making METEET a successful tool to address the need of tackling transport and environment as a whole. First, he referred to the target of 2027 to arrive at a good status for all EU water bodies, and secondly he underlined the importance of real policy integration at the EU and MS level. He referred to the Green Deal as a real example of such integration.

4 PPTs were delivered by colleagues from DG ENV touching upon the biodiversity strategy for rivers and the EU legislation 5Habitats Directive, WFD,..) to carry out the different environmental procedures

3 PPTs were delivered by AT (East of Vienna), RO (Sibiu-Pitesti)and BE(Seine-Escaut) to show successful cases to address the issues mentioned above

Finally, a panel discussion was chaired by two experts (transport and environment) and dealt with the following topics: inter-sector dialogue between stakeholders and integrated planning approach

Coordinators’ Seminar, 9 March 2021

Together with her colleague Coordinators, Inés Ayala Sender participated in the seminar organised by DG MOVE, unit B1 to have an exchange of views on governance in view of the upcoming TEN-T revision.

Advisory Committee on FAIRway works and Preparing FAIRway2 works, 9 March 2021

Inés Ayala Sender participated in the Advisory Committee on FAIRway works and preparing FAIRway2 works, whereby industry and environmental stakeholders were also invited.

These CEF funded actions concern cross-border projects (upgrade of the Serbian Iron Gate 2 locks, Serbian and Austrian equipment as well as mooring infrastructure in Austria, Croatia and Serbia.

TRAN Committee, 25 February 2021

The TRAN committee in the European Parliament invited Inés Ayala Sender and Carlo Secchi for their hearing. Both Coordinators gave an overview of the 4th Work Plan and the status of implementation of the Core Network Corridor. Mrs Ayala Sender also explained her views on possible changes on the articles on inland waterway infrastructure following the TEN-T revision.

INEA seminar, 16 February 2021

Inés Ayala Sender had the opportunity to meet the Director, Head of Department and Head of Units of INEA and to discuss all the CEF funded projects in the Rhine-Danube Core Network Corridor.

FAIRway Danube Advisory Committee – 3 December 2020

Karla Peijs attended the FAIRway Danube Advisory Committee. The first part consisted in a laudatio: by Maja Bakran Marcich DDG DG MOVE, thanking Karla for all the political achievements, by Andreas Boschen, Head of Department, Innovation and Networks Executive Agency on behalf of Dirk Beckers for her achievements in terms of CEF funded Actions. He underlined that the overall allocation for this Corridor is of € 3,7 billion of CEF funding allocated for 116 grant agreements corresponding to a total investment of € 6,9 billion, encompassing all means of transport and by Vera Hofbauer, Austrian Ministry of Climate Protection, sharing the viewpoint of the Austrian Ministry of Climate Protection, the Priority Area Coordinator of the EU Strategy and as Coordinator of the FAIRway Danube project, by congratulating and thanking her for her achievements. She pointed out a number of key steps in the field of inland navigation which form the basis for the next steps on Good Navigation Status as required by the TEN-T Regulation.

The FAIRway Danube Advisory Committee had an overview on the FAIRway Danube project and discussed the current state of play (National Action Plans).

Gerhard Gussmagg, Rhenus Logistics, gave an overview of the Rhenus Group and the Rhenus port network in Europe (85 ports) and explained what the main requirement are from a logistic service provider point of view. The current state of play of all the running pilot operations was also discussed and as a last point PDI gave the feedback from Danube operators by presenting the results of a survey among Danube users.

Danube Navigational Fairway Development Forum – 15 December 2020

Karla Peijs will deliver a keynote speech. This Forum will discuss the latest development in the FAIRway Danube project, the improvement of the fairway marking system on the Hungarian Danube section of Rhine-Danube corridor, the PannonRIS system and the Port Management Information System (KIR) and the electronic shipping charts (IENC) .

Videoconferences of the European Coordinators, 25 November 2020

Karla Peijs has participated to the last TEN-T Coordinator’s seminar for 2020.

Two main subjects have been discussed:

The revision process of the TEN-T Regulation including the participation of the Coordinators into the reflection process for redrafting some provisions. An extensive presentation of the review process has been made by MOVE B1.

All Coordinators reacted very positively to this proposal from the Commission and underlined the need for adequate resources and to work very closely with their advisors to achieve this objective.

The Recovery and Resilience Fund RRF: An update of the current state of play of the legislative process and the first exchanges with Member States about their plans has been described.

Coordinators requested to the Secretariat General SG Recovery entity to be adequately involved and informed through their advisors in the exchanges with the Member States about the transport issues.

Videoconferences of the European Coordinators, 22 Sept and 19 Oct 2020

Coordinator Peijs participated to the videoconferences of the European Coordinators which took place on 22 Sept and 19 Oct with Unit B.1 of DG MOVE, MOVE B Director Herald Ruijters and the Head of Unit B.2 of DG MOVE Olivier Silla.

In the videoconference of 22 Sept, the main focus was on rail-related matters. Former European Coordinator for ERTMS Karel Vinck and former Ambassador of Belgium Jan Grauls presented the initiative "European Year of Rail 2021", which foresees a series of events, campaigns and initiatives that will promote rail as a sustainable, innovative and safe mode of transport. Elisabeth Werner, Director for Land Transport at DG MOVE provided an overview of the Commission’s rail policy and the upcoming initiatives, including the revision of the Rail Freight Corridors Regulation. The Coordinators discussed relevant related projects on their Corridors and how to best support the European Year of Rail from their side.

In the videoconference of 19 Oct, the focus was on the Resilience and Recovery Facility (RRF) with a presentation describing the legislative process and questions & answers from the Coordinators. The key principles, the guidance and the templates for the national plans to be prepared under that RFF were issued by the Commission already on 17 Sept (https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/IP_20_1658) and there is now also a hub where all key information is gathered for the Member States (MS) at https://ec.europa.eu/info/departments/recovery-and-resilience-task-forc…. MS have been invited to submit their draft national plan under the RFF as of 15 Oct and need to submit their final plan by 30 April 2021.

Joint workshop of MoS – R-D – OEM: "Motorways of the Sea in the Black Sea and its effective integration in the Orient-East Med and Rhine-Danube core network corridors" - 7 October 2020

Karla Peijs, Kurt Bodewig and Mathieu Grosch each chaired a session in this workshop overall aiming to better link the MoS policy with the corridors. The 53 participants were national and regional representatives from the Black Sea region (RO, BG), ports’ representatives, Black Sea Economic Cooperation, CPMR, ESPO, DG MOVE and INEA . The main objective of the event was (1) to gather views from stakeholders in the Black Sea basin to better understand the overall maritime trends in the region, (2) to identify the specific challenges and investment needs of the Black Sea ports to better integrate Motorways of the Sea with the two landside corridors and (3) to evaluate the hinterland connections of the Black Sea ports with regard to inland waterways and railways.

The first session focussed on Motorways of the Sea and the related investment priorities for the Black Sea Basin. Kurt Bodewig highlighted his wish to tailor the next DIP (due at the end of 2021) even more towards the specific needs of each sea-basin. In other words, the investments priorities and needs formulated in the current DIP shall be broken down to each sea-basin. Karla Peijs presented the challenges related to the need to connect the maritime Black sea ports’ dimension of the Rhine-Danube Corridor with the inland ports, inviting the speakers to break down the “silo” mind-set of addressing the two dimensions separately. Further, she insisted on the importance of the three MoS pillars (Sustainable, Smart and Seamless) for the development of the region. She also gave a brief overview of the traffic at the Port of Constanta (as the only Black Sea maritime port of the Corridor). The fact that todays’ trade routes are heading towards Asia was underlined, as this will re-shape the entire world traffic flows.

Mathieu Grosch underlined the need for cooperation between ports (in particular for an improved and more efficient hinterland connection), and emphasized the potential of the Black sea when it comes to European added value. He underlined the modernisation needs to increase the performance of the Black sea ports, also considering the geographical and geopoltical situation of the Black sea region.

Joint Statement meeting, 16-17 September 2020

This meeting was also held on-line due to travel limitations caused by COVID-19.

The aim of the 11th Meeting on the follow-up of the Joint Statement on Guiding Principles of inland navigation and environmental protection in the Danube River Basin (ICPDR) is:

To ensure regular information exchange on the progress in the implementation of the Joint Statement;
To inform and discuss the current situation affecting the European inland waterway transport and its future outlook;
To discuss challenges and solutions in relation to the practical application of an integrated planning approach and: lessons learned;
To present and discuss a joint proposal of the three commissions on how to improve the Joint Statement follow-up process.

Karla Peijs underlined in her keynote speech the priorities for the years to come for the Danube. An overview was given of the policy developments relevant for the Danube region as well as an Update on the status of navigability and waterway infrastructure projects in the Danube Basin countries and a presentation on sediment management.

Rhine-Danube Corridor Info session – 24 June 2020

As from mid-March 2020, it became impossible for Coordinator Peijs to organise physical meetings with the members of the Rhine-Danube Corridor Forum. She therefore decided to invite all the representatives to an online video conference info session. The main objectives of the workshop were to be in touch with the RD Forum members and to exchange views and to inform them about the latest state of play in different issues. During her welcome address, Coordinator Peijs informed the participants about the objectives of the meeting and also about the current situation and the activities she initiated since the beginning of the confinement. The 4th RD Work Plan of the Coordinator has been presented in some details including her special recommendations after the recent in-depth analysis of the corridor implementation. The issues related to the financing needs by 2030 and the delays incurred have been raised. As a second issue on the agenda, a representative from INEA presented the RD Corridor Report 2020 explaining the overall situation and challenges for the CEF grants projects in the 9 countries. Over the last weeks, Coordinator Peijs was in contact with some RD Member States and a short report has been presented about the national differences in the impact on transport and infrastructure by the COVID-19 crisis. A representative from MOVE B1 presented the latest information on the Directive on streamlining measures for advancing the realisation of TEN-T. The last item presented touched upon the Commission proposal for a Recovery and Resilience Facility and its potential opportunities for modernising transport infrastructure and rolling stocks. Coordinator Peijs concluded about the importance of maintaining a continuity in the implementation of the corridor projects and the adequacy of the projects with CEF2 and the next MFF/ EU Recovery Plans.

Activities Coordinator Karla Peijs during the COVID-19 confinement period June 2020

As from mid-March 2020, it became impossible for Coordinator Peijs to travel to the Member States along the OEM corridor and to meet with officials and stakeholders.

Therefore, she decided to set-up a series of bilateral meetings with the Member States Representatives via video conferencing in order to keep in touch with the situation in the Capitals and in the field and to enquire about the current situation consequences on the transport, its economy and the TEN-T implementation.

She organised specific video conference meetings with Member States representatives of Hungary on 9 June 2020 and of Romania on 22 June 2020. The aim of these individual meetings is to exchange views with each country about:

A short state of play of the ongoing CEF projects on the RD CNC in the individual country;
The difficulties met and delays incurred – support needed;
The planning for new future projects on the CNC (timing, approximate budgets etc..);
New TEN-T 2 under the next MFF and EU Recovery Plans

Each Member State reports in some details to Coordinator Peijs and explains the evolution of the situation since end of March 2020 along the Corridor and for the main projects financed under CEF. In most cases, different representatives of the transport modes at the Ministries are present and can explain the specific difficulties met from the operational and administrative points of views. More specific exchanges take place on the means that may be available under the EU recovery plans following COVID-19. Each Member State reported to Coordinator Grosch and explained the situation as it was known at the moment of the meeting. This exchange was very fruitful and it was decided to report later on, in more details during bilateral meetings.The opportunity was taken to exchange views on the progress made for the validation process of the 4th RD Work Plan of Mrs Peijs and its acceptance by the Transport Ministers as well as on the open discussions related to the next MFF and CEF-2. Exchanges took place on the means that may be available under the EU recovery plans following COVID-19.

Mission Coordinator Karla Peijs to Brussels, 10 December 2019

Coordinator Peijs attended the bi-annual seminar of the TEN-T Coordinators. The event was hosted by INEA in Brussels.

The seminar allowed for different exchanges between the Coordinators, the representatives of DG MOVE and INEA on the current state of play of CEF and the projects management/results.

The reallocation of reflow funding has been analysed and future priorities have been discussed.

A very interesting meeting took place in the afternoon with a delegation of representatives of the “chefs” of the large tunnel projects in Europe.

This was an excellent opportunity to exchange views about the long term planning and investments of very large projects.

Mission Coordinator Karla Peijs to Brussels, 20 November 2019

During the morning, Karla Peijs participated in the IWT workshop that was attended by 45 participants. An update was given where we stand on the definition of the Good navigation Status. Consultants gave a list of missing new projects (IWW and ports) for corridor implementation that are not yet featuring in the project list, which triggered an exchange of views what the different RD countries foresee in the upcoming 5 to 10 years as projects to be planned. CCNR gave a presentation of the Market observatory report. Participants were asked to explain how they see the technical and organisational aspects for a workable integration of authorities and operators from ports, IWW, rail and road and conclusion is that there is still some work to do to have a good integration. De Vlaamse Waterweg gave an update where we stand on RIS COMEX. It is clear that we are all looking forward to the full implementation in 2021. Second discussion round was how to get a network approach to port challenges, what are realistic ideas and possibilities. Outcome is that we need to ensure plannability, flexibility and real multimodality. During the afternoon Coordinator Peijs chaired the 14th RD CNC Forum that was attended by more than 50 representatives. Consultants gave an in-depth state of play and interim results from the ongoing TEN-T CNC study with a general overview on study progress, interim results of the multimodal transport market study, results of the 2010 CNC Project Data Analyses and the project implementation report. A presentation was also given on the RFC9 infrastructure needs from the market perspective until 2023. A real-time demonstration was given on how TENtec works and a presentation on military mobility. Jaspers showed concretely how they can help in the Rhine-Danube corridor. Also a presentation on CEF 2019 MAP call and the CEF Blending Facility and an update on CEF funded projects. Consultants also informed the participants how the next work plan will look like and next activities until June 2020.

Mission Coordinator Karla Peijs to Brussels, 19 November 2019

Karla Peijs met with JASPERS (EIB) to discuss advisory issues for the countries located along the Rhine-Danube Corridor.

The discussion allowed for exchanges on operational issues, support to project promoters, grant reflow risks and timely implementation of the Rhine-Danube corridor by 2030. Mr Grosch described the state of play of the ongoing study and the preparation of his 4th RD Corridor Work Plan. The JASPERS team described the ongoing advisory actions and the difficulties met in the field when following the infrastructure promoters in their actions.

Mission Coordinator Karla Peijs to Budapest (HU), 11-12 November 2019

Karla Peijs attended the closing conference on the CEF funded Action “TEN-T port development Master Plan” and baptised the surveying vessel “GARDA”, acquired in the frame of the flagship project FAIRway Danube. Karla also chaired a meeting between representatives of the HU Ministry of Innovation and Technology, the SK Ministry of Transport and Construction and the General Director of the Danube Commission. On 12 November Karla Peijs gave an introductory speech at the METEET workshop held in the premises of the EU Delegation. Jasna Muskatirovic was the transport expert and Georg Rast the environment expert and they enlightened the representatives of the Ministry of Information and Technology (covers transport) as well as the Ministry of Agriculture (covers the ministry of environment) on the much needed integrated approach.

Mission Coordinator Karla Peijs to Sarajevo (BiH), 24 October 2019

Karla Peijs attended the 8th Meeting of the Parties to the Framework Agreement on the Sava River Basin in Sarajevo that was attended by representatives of BiH, HR, RS, SI, Montenegro, Danube Commission, ICPDR, INBO, UNECE and the World Bank. She gave a keynote speech on the duty and responsibility toward the next generation to have a renewed regional cooperation to implement the FRSRB and the Protocol on the Navigation Regime to the FASRB. The need to make the Sava navigable again, while respecting the environment, to have green inland vessels and clean IWW and ports, to have integration between modes and cooperation with other sectors, to develop coherent national infrastructure development plans for waterways and ports, to engage with stakeholders, to secure long-term political and financial commitment and to carry out research, etc.

Mission Coordinator Karla Peijs to Opole (Poland), 18 September 2019

Karla Peijs attended the 2nd inland navigation congress in Opole that was attended by 750 people. She gave a keynote speech on the opportunities and challenges for the next decade. She also, listened to the ambitious plans of Marek Gróbarczyk, Minister of Maritime Economy and Inland Navigation, of Grzegorz Puda, Secretary of State, Ministry of Investment and Development, Marcin Ociepa, secretary of State, Ministry of Enterprise and Technology and of Adrian Czubak, Governor of Opolskie province.

Mission Coordinator Karla Peijs to Budapest, 11-12 September 2019

Karla Peijs attended the 10th meeting on the follow-up of the Joint Statement on guiding principles on the development of inland navigation and environmental protection in the Danube River Basin that was held in the premises of the Danube Commission in Budapest.

Karla gave an outlook for Danube navigation in the context of the Rhine-Danube Corridor and on the new budgetary period 2021-2027.

Karla also received an overview of the current state of inland waterway transport projects and environmental projects in the Danube basin countries and was informed about their experiences with integrated planning and implementation.

She also exchanged views on future plans and perspectives for enhancing navigation and environmental protection in the Danube and its navigable tributaries.

Mission Coordinator Karla Peijs to Bratislava, 20-21 June 2019

In the morning of the 20th, Karla Peijs gave a speech introducing the launch of the works of the upgrade of the Gabcickovo locks receiving more than 122 bn EUR CEF funding. She visited the empty lock and together with the Deputy Prime Minister and Environment Minister Laszlo Solymos and the Minister of Transport Arpad Ersek she held a press conference. In the afternoon Karla Peijs and Minister of Transport Arpad Ersek baptised the marking and surveying vessels ‘Connecting Europe and Connecting Europe I’ procured in the framework of the CEF funded project FAIRway Danube, aimed to implement the ‘Fairway Rehabilitation and Maintenance Master Plan of the Danube and its navigable tributaries’.

On the 21st, Karla spoke at the joint Slovak-Hungarian working group listening to the Master Planb and Feasibility Studies for the public port of Komarno and the Hungarian ports.

Mission Coordinator Karla Peijs to Brussels, 19 June 2019

In the morning, Karla Peijs chaired the 13th Rhine-Danube Corridor Forum meeting. 56 stakeholders (including MS) were represented including the consultants, DG MOVE, INEA and other presenters. Participants were updated on the interim results from the ongoing TEN-T CNC study as well as on the upcoming activities by the consultants, on MoS and the link to CNC by Silke Brock, advisor to Coordinator Kurt Bodewig, on the new Inland Water Transport Platform by EBU and on financing.

Karla also had a restricted meeting with MS ministry representatives.

In the afternoon, Karla Peijs co-chaired the joint RHD/OEM economic working group with Mathieu Grosch and 53 participants listened to presentation on jobs and growth analysis on the CNC, on urban nodes, on potential and needs of the Danube inland waterways as economic backbone of the Danube Macroregion of the EU and on air transport infrastructure contribution on TEN-T and regional economy.

Mission Coordinator Karla Peijs to Berlin, 29 May 2019

In the morning, the regular meeting between the DB top management (Dr Richard LUTZ and management team) and the TEN-T coordinators having their corridor alignment passing through Germany took place in the DB Tower in Berlin.

This regular meeting with the Rhine Danube, Orient East Med, Rhine Alpine, North Sea Baltic, ScanMed, Atlantic Coordinators and the ERTMS Coordinator allows for an exchange of views on the progress of railway in Germany towards the TEN-T objectives of 2030.

The thematic of this year meeting was to inform the Coordinators about DB policy on “Digital Rail Germany”.

The new environmental challenges, the needs for an increased railway capacity and a performing rail system can be tackled by the “Digitalisation” as a key driver. Interconnecting into one digital system the TEN-T network, the urban nodes and cities will maximise the interoperability.

Modernisation of the railway infrastructure and the important rolling stock is raising important financial issues for the near future. Harmonised Radio frequencies and class B systems end of life are part of the overall scheme.

Corridor issues and Corridor work plans have been briefly discussed. The principle of a follow-up meeting has been agreed upon.

This excellent exchange of views was followed by the regular meeting between the German Ministerial level and the TEN-T coordinators having their corridor alignment passing through Germany took place in the Federal Ministry for Transport and Digital Infrastructure in Berlin.

The TEN-T Coordinators met the German Federal State Secretary G. Beermann, State Secretary Güntner and the Parliamentary State Secretary Bilger. This meeting allowed for exchanges of information on corridors’ essential issues and policies between the highest federal political level and each concerned TEN-T Coordinator. Short-term activities related to CEF II and the upcoming process of the revision of TEN-T has been presented to the State Secretaries and their management staff. A very open and very constructive exchange of views took place in the context of the implementation progress for each corridor and the future of TEN-T and CEF. German and EU priorities have been discussed including current bottlenecks.

Follow-up will be ensured at the TEN-T Corridor levels between the German administration and the Coordinators.

Mission Coordinator Karla Peijs to Warsaw, 11 April 2019

Karla Peijs was keynote speaker at the Water Expo 2019 in Warsaw where she explained how to integrate inland shipping with rail and road infrastructure.

Mission Coordinator Karla Peijs to Luxembourg, 9 to 10 April 2019

On 9 April, Karla Peijs met her colleague Coordinators in a seminar and discussed several TEN-T ad CEF topics.

In the afternoon, Karla Peijs attended the seminar with the European Court of Auditors.

On 10 April, Ms Peijs had a high level meeting with the European Investment Bank.

Mission Coordinator Karla Peijs to Romania, 26 to 29 March 2019

On 26 March, Karla Peijs attended the ceremony for the christening of the Romanian FAIRway marking vessel in Giurgiu by Commissioner Bulc in the presence of Romanian Transport Minister Razvan Cuc.

On 27 March, Karla Peijs visited the CRF funded project "Upgrade of infrastructure and environmental protection in Constanta Port – PROTECT" entailing the upgrade of basic port infrastructure, construction of a new state of the art on-shore waste collection and treatment facility (on-shore WCTF), upgrade of the signalling system in the port basin and the fairway, and purchase of one technical vessel. In the afternoon, she met the State Secretary of the Ministry of European Funds and representatives of the Ministry of Transport, of CFR, Jaspers and INEA – and DG MOVE colleagues together with colleague Coordinator Mathieu Grosch to discuss the Romanian rail portfolio.

On 28 March Karla Peijs attended and actively participated as panellist in the TEN-T & CEF Conference, which was well attended.

On 29 March Karla Peijs met together with colleague Coordinators Grosch and Ruete the Minister and State Secretary of European Funds as well as representatives of the Ministry of Transport.

Mission Coordinator Karla Peijs to Brussels, 3 December 2018

Karla Peijs attended the meeting of the Transport Ministers of the Danube riparian states who were invited by EU Transport Commissioner Violeta Bulc to reconfirm their commitment to implement the Fairway Rehabilitation and Maintenance Master Plan for the Danube and its navigable tributaries, as adopted in December 2014.

Ministers signed the Danube Ministerial Conclusions, in which they once again agreed to step up fairway rehabilitation and maintenance efforts in the years to come in order to improve fairway conditions according to the relevant target values defined in the Fairway Master Plan. The ministers announced to allocate the necessary national budgets as outlined in the National Action Plans and to make full use of EU co-financing opportunities for the implementation of required measures. Furthermore, the ministers welcomed the first set of harmonised border control forms (arrival and departure reports, crew lists as well as passenger list) - the results of the joint Working Group of EUSDR PA1a and PA11 - and recommended their further application in the Danube region.

Mission Coordinator Karla Peijs to Budapest, 13 November 2018

Coordinator Karla Peijs was invited to be the keynote speaker at a conference organised by the Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade on ‘Inland navigation: Diagnosis, Institutions and visions. She was pleased to hear the Hungarian State Secretary Sztáray iterate Hungarian commitment to TEN-T requirement and to complete the Rhine-Danube Core network corridor and to discuss with the river basin commissions the importance of GNS and fairway for the inland waterways.

Seminar of the European Coordinators, 5 October 2018, Brussels

European Coordinators gathered in Brussels on 5 October 2018 to discuss topics of common concern, such as the further evolution of the TEN-T and the state of play of the Commission proposal on a Connecting Europe Facility 2. Horizontal priorities (ERTMS and Motorways of the Sea), cross-border cooperation, military mobility were also on the agenda. Coordinators welcomed Ms Jensen, Ms Radicova and Mr Ruete as new members of the team and expressed their gratitude to Mr Brinkhorst and Mr Simpson whose mandate as Coordinator ended on 15 September 2018.

Mission Coordinator Karla Peijs to Slovakia and Hungary, 5-7 September 2018

In the joint Working Group between Hungary and Slovakia for the developments of the Ports of Komarno (SK) and Komarom (HU), Karla Peijs underlined the importance of the cross-border cooperation between Hungary and Slovakia in view of future works for the upgrade of the ports of Komarno and Komarom and to ensure the good navigation status along the Danube. She highlighted that a modern transport system needs adequate resources to be allocated to maintenance, while at the same time, future infrastructure works should be planned in a sustainable manner in the framework of the existing National/Cross-Border and European Corridors' programme. Therefore, she recalled the responsibilities of both Member States in ensuring that the Danube infrastructure (for both water and ports) is effectively maintained so that each upgrading intervention funded either by national budget or by EU financing instruments and programmes bring the results we all had hoped for. The site visit reassured her that the works are progressing well.

In the National User Forum held in Budapest, Karla Peijs underlined the key role of Hungary for the development and successful implementation of the Rhine-Danube CNC. It was mentioned that HU CEF-funded IWW projects target 6 major bottlenecks and concentrate mainly on three areas of intervention: upgrade and construction of infrastructure, studies with pilots addressing environmental concerns and the implementation of RIS along the Hungarian section of the Danube. Karla Peijs also listened to the concerns of the stakeholders, both from industry as from the environmental side.

Mission Coordinator Karla Peijs to Belgrade, 28-29 June 2018

Karla Peijs was keynote speaker at the Ministerial Conference chaired by Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Zorana Mihaijlović on the occasion of 70 years of the Belgrade Convention. In the afternoon, Karla presented her Third Work Plan in the 90th plenary session of the Danube Commission. She was awarded a medal as a reward for her continuous support to the Danube.

Mission Coordinator Peijs to Augsburg, 12 June 2018

Karla Peijs was the keynote speaker at the General Assembly of the Initiative 'Mainline for Europe'. She voiced her support for the vision of 'Mainline for Europe' to have a railway corridor that links Paris to Budapest via Strasbourg, Munich, and Vienna and calls for a strong CEF 2 to build upon the results already achieved in CEF I. This is not simply about closing gaps in the network, but about really maximising long-term positive impact for EU citizens.

Mission Coordinator Peijs to Ljubljana, 25-27 April 2018 (TEN-T Days)

Karla Peijs presented her third work plan in the Rhine-Danube Core network Corridor meeting held in the margins of the TEN-T Days 2018. Karla Peijs also had a discussion with her colleague Coordinators with Commissioner Oettinger to present their Joint Position Paper as a follow-up to the meeting held in January 2018.

Mission Coordinator Peijs to Bucharest, 19-20 March 2018

Karla Peijs met Lucian Şova, newly nominatedMinister of Transport, Mihaela Toader, State Secretary, Ministry of European Funds (MoEU), Cătălin Costache, General Director of the Intermediate Body for Transport, Teodora Preoteasa, General Director, MoEU, Ion Gavrilă, General Director of CFR, Bogdan Puşcaş, President of ANAP and Silviu Pop, President of CNSC to discuss the actual state of play of the Romanian railway projects and possible measures that can be taken to improve the implementation in particular changes in nation public procurement law.

Mission Coordinator Peijs to Brussels, 30 January-1 February 2018

Karla Peijs met Commissioner Bulc and Commissioner Oettinger to discuss a reinforced CEF2 budget ib the next multi-annual financial framework. Karla also had a meeting with Dirk Beckers, Executive Director and his team at INEA to have an overview of the state of play of implementation of all CEF funded projects in all the core network corridors and horizontal priority projects.

Meeting of Coordinators Peijs, Vinck and Grosch with Deutsche Bahn Management Berlin, 7 December 2017

The meeting was attended by: MM Pofalla, Sennhenn, Miram, Sellnick and Bührsch from Deutsche Bahn, and by Mr Colson, Ms J. Bertrand and Mr Vankerckhoven from DG MOVE B1.

This meeting was organised at the joint initiative of Mr Pofalla (DB) and Coordinator Grosch and had as objective to review the current state of play of TEN-T railways implementation in Germany

Mr Pofalla explained that the HSL Berlin – Munchen, the biggest investment in railway infrastructure ever made in Germany, would be inaugurated on the 8th December 2017. 10 billion EUR were invested to bring the train journey to 4 hours between the two cities. The aim is to have a modal split increasing from 20% to 40% over the upcoming years.

Mr Pofalla confirmed that 2/3rd of the DB infrastructure investments in Germany are on the TEN-T alignments.

CEF is considered as an excellent tool and benefits to the modal shift. 'A Lobby' meeting for CEF between DB and Commissioner Oettinger took place.

The TEN-T Coordinators raised the following questions of a more technical nature:

Connection of the BBT with Munich and operational harmonisation aspects.
Rastatt accident and mitigation measures for the future.
Setting-up of a working group to analyse potential multi modal solutions to face future accessibility problems of railway section.
The upcoming process of the next MFF and CEF2 and the link with an efficient railway network all over the EU have been explained. There is a clear need on return on investments for the citizens. The new role of ERA as from 2019 has been discussed and the ways helping the railway sector to become more efficient.
Dresden – Prague: The next step - signature of a financial agreement with the German Federal Ministry - start the preparation end of 2018 for the planning phase. Federal funding needs to be secured.
Construction of Erdinger Ringschluß (Railway connection between Munich main station and Munich airport) are ongoing, finalisation could be envisaged around 2026.
ERTMS: a financial scheme for the OBU equipment is needed and the problem of additional frequencies of 3MHz for railways has to be solved all around the EU.
The issue of the extension of the TEN-T corridors in the framework of the TEN-T Core Network has been raised. Comments and proposals are welcome by mid-January 2018.

Mission Coordinator Peijs to Strasbourg, 13-15 November 2017

Karla Peijs met Commissioner Bulc with her colleague Coordinators to discuss TEN-T development and CEF implementation on 14 November. On 15 November, Karla had bilaterals with MEPS Bilbao de Barandica, Telicka and Kallas to discuss the need for a reinforced CEF2 in the next MFF. She also attended a high-level IWT and Ports event, hosted by the Port Autonome de Strasbourg. The members of the coalition of inland waterway transport and ports are EBU (European Barge Union), EFIP (European Federation of Inland Ports), ESO (European Skippers’ Organisation) and INE (Inland Navigation Europe) handed over a declaration with its vision towards 2030 to Wim van de Camp, member of the European Parliament and Violeta Bulc, EU Commissioner for Transport. After this event, she participated in the MFF Conference where she met VP Sefcovic (EC), VP McGuinness (EP), Íňigo de la Serna Hernaíz, Spanish Minister of Transport and many MEPs and transport stakehoders.

Mission Coordinator Peijs to Belgrade and Vukovar, 24-25 October 2017

Karla Peijs met Zorana Mihajlović, Deputy Prime Minister, Miodrag Poledica, State Secretary and Veljko Kovačević, Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Construction, Transport and Infrastructure of Serbia together with Dirk Beckers, Executive Director of INEA and attended the signing of the Grant Agreement under CEF of the project “The Upgrade of the Iron Gate 1 Navigational Lock”. Karla had the opportunity to be informed about all the inland waterway projects in Serbia and visit the RIS Centre. Thereafter, Karla went to Vukovar, where she met Oleg Butkovic, Croatian Minister; She attended the signing of the Croatian grant agreements ''Preparation of Environmental Impact Assessment Study and Design Documentation for the river Sava inland waterway section between rkm 329 to rkm 315 and rkm 312+200 to rkm 300'' and "Construction and improvement of infrastructure in Slavonski Brod port". Karla baptised the vessel 'Connecting Europe 1", funded under CEF.

Mission Coordinator Peijs to Brussels for the hearing in the Committee on Transport & Tourism in the European Parliament, Brussels, 11 April 2017

Karla Peijs and her colleague Coordinators went to the European Parliament for their annual meeting with the members of the TRAN Committee. Karla gave an update on state of play of the Rhine-Danube Core Network Corridor and presented the chapter on enabling multimodality and efficient freight logistics that she and Peter Balasz developed in the Issues Paper.

WG IWT and RD Corridor Forum meeting 13-14 June 2017

Mission Coordinator Peijs to Brussels, 29-30 March 2017

Karla Peijs met her colleague-Coordinators to discuss the main challenges for the last year of their mandate. Together with them, she also had a lively discussion with Commissioner Bulc on the work plan and the project lists as a basis for investments, on communicating the impact of TEN-T policy, investment needs for the next Multi-annual Financial Framework and on improving the investment framework.

Regional Transport Investment Conference on 22 -24 March 2017

The Coordinator discussed with Commissioner Bulc, the Western Balkans countries, the European Parliament, EIB, EBRD and NPBs investments specifically targeted at the Western Balkan region.

Baptising of a vessel in Rousse on 21 March 2017

The Coordinator baptized the very first vessel, built for the exploration and maintenance of the Danube River. It will serve to run water level measurements along the Bulgarian/Romanian common section of the Danube. Karla baptised the new surveying vessel "Dunav 1" in Rousse on 22 March upon invitation of the Bulgarian Minister of Transport Hristo Alexiev.

Meeting newly elected Ministers of Transport Razvan Cuc (RO) and Hristo Alexiev(BG) on 27 and 28 February 2017

The Coordinator organized a meeting with both newly elected Transport Ministers to discuss the navigability of the common stretch on the Danube and the required maintenance dredging. Minister Alexiev informed the Coordinator that he launched a tender for 3 years maintenance dredging as well as well as tenders for equipment foreseen within FAIRway Danube and that measures were taken to facilitate the acquisition of a multifunctional dredger, which is planned within the Operational Programme.

Mission Coordinator Peijs to Luxembourg, 18 January 2017

Karla Peijs met Pim Van Ballekom, Vice-President of the EIB and discussed together with her colleague Coordinators investment needs, but also barriers to investments, the need to measure socio-economic impact (jobs and growth) and the blending call.

Mission Coordinator Peijs to Berlin, 17 January 2017

Karla Peijs was the keynote speaker at the kick-off meeting of RIS CoMEx, a truly European cross-border project bringing together organisations from 12 different Member States and from Serbia upon invitation of the German Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure. Karla had the opportunity to meet Parliamentary State Secretary Dorothee Bär

Mission Coordinator Peijs to Spa, 15-16 November 2016

Karla Peijs met her colleague Coordinators and DG Move services to discuss ways to improve the TEN-T process and in particular the functioning of the corridor fora.

Fourth Annual Danube Strategy Forum, 29 and 30 October 2015, Ulm

The Coordinator took part in the Annual Forum, organised by DG REGIO in Ulm. This consisted of a number of important meetings and events including an exchange with inland waterway industry representatives organised by the ProDanube Association, also attended by Commissioner Cretu. The exchange offered industry representatives the opportunity to present their perspectives and raise questions concerning what action the Commission intends to take to improve navigability of the Danube River. In response, Commissioner Cretu stressed that the Danube Strategy promotes urgent measures for the improvement of navigability and the Coordinator outlined what concrete steps have already been taken regarding funding devoted to IWT in the first Call of the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) Programme.

Sixth Joint Statement Meeting, 10 and 11 September 2015, Vienna

The Coordinator took part in the sixth Joint Statement Meeting in the premises of the International Committee for the Protection of the Danube River (ICPDR). The presentations delivered by each riparian country reported small developments taking place in the most critical sections of the River Danube. An important step forward will be the finalisation of the Master Plan for the rehabilitation of the good navigability conditions that has been presented within Priority Area 1a of the Danube Strategy. The Coordinator also reiterated earlier proposals for the creation of a 'Team of Experts', with in-depth knowledge of European environmental and transport related legislation to support civil servants in the Ministries of riparian countries.

Mission to Bavaria, 3 and 4 July 2015

On 3 July 2015, Ms Peijs met Bavarian Minister Herrmann in Nurnberg and visited the railway line between Nurnberg and Marktredwitz. The Minister and the Coordinator agreed that it is necessary to upgrade the rail connection between Nurnberg and the Czech border (particularly electrification), as well as the line from Munich to the Czech border via Schwandorf. On 4 July 2015, the Coordinator met the CEO of RMD at the Aicha bend on the river Danube. RMD has completed the study for the construction of infrastructures to prevent flooding of the Danube. The Coordinator asked if the new constructions, known as 'Variant A' for the refurbishment of the Danube section between the cities of Straubing and Vilshofen, will provide an upgrade to navigability of that section of the river. Mr Schmautz, CEO of RMD, confirmed that improvements would be seen, but that these would still fall short of standards set out in the TEN-T Guidelines. On 4 July 2015, the Coordinator met the Steering Group of the 'Magistrale for Europe' rail construction initiative at Munich airport. Magistrale is a major rail connection that runs from Paris to Budapest. Director, Mr Markus Lorenz, took the opportunity to present major upgrades being undertaken to improve the line.

TEN-T Days 2015, Workshop on Inland Waterways, 22 and 23 June 2015, Riga

On 22 June 2015, the European Coordinator moderated a round table on the Danube inland waterways at the Riga TEN-T Days event. The round table included prominent representatives of organisations and institutions that operate on the river Danube, including industry and Commission representatives and experts in environmental protection and legislation. The discussion focused on many aspects of the issue and in particular celebrated the presentation of the document, 'Fairway Rehabilitation and Maintenance Master Plan for the Danube and its navigable tributaries'. For the first time, all Danube River riparian States, whether they are a Member of the European Union or not, have agreed to provide technical data on the status of the river in their national territory. This data will contribute towards the achievement of a safe, sustainable and navigable river - preserving the river’s natural beauty and providing opportunities for economic growth.

Mission to Bavaria, 3 and 4 July 2015

On 3 July 2015 Ms Peijs met the Bavarian Minister Herrmann in Nurnberg and visited the rail line between Nurnberg and Marktredwitz. The Minister and the Coordinator agreed that it is necessary to upgrade, particularly for the electrification, the rail line connection between Nurnberg and the Czech border as well as the line from Munich to the Czech border via Schwandorf.

On 4 July 2015 the Coordinator met the CEO of RMD company at the Aicha bend on the river Danube.

RMD has completed the study for the construction of the river Danube infrastructure to prevent flood events. The Coordinator asked if the new constructions, known as "Variant A" for the refurbishment of the Danube section between the cities of Straubing and Vilshofen, will provide an upgrade to the navigability conditions on the river. Mr Schmautz, CEO of RMD, answered that there will be improvement but still not to fulfil the requirements as requested in the TEN-T Guidelines.

On 4 July 2015, at Minch airport, the Coordinator met the Steering Group of the "Magistrale for Europe" rail construction initiative. Magistrale is a major rail connection that runs from Paris to Budapest. Major activities are undergoing to upgrade the line and these were presented by the Director Mr Markus Lorenz.

6th Joint Statement Meeting, Vienna, Austria, 10 and 11 September 2015

The Coordinator took part at the 6th Joint Statement Meeting in the premises of the International Committee for the Protection of the Danube River (ICPDR). The presentations delivered by each riparian country reported that still small developments are taking place in the most critical sections of the river Danube. An important step forward will be the finalisation of the Master Plan for the rehabilitation of the good navigability conditions that has been presented by the Priority Area 1a of the Danube Strategy.

The Coordinator reintroduced, after few years from the first discussion, the proposal for the creation of a Mixed Team of Experts, from environment and transport, to support better knowledge of the European Legislation at all levels of civil servants in the Ministries of environment and of transport in the riparian countries.

4th Annual Danube Strategy Forum, Ulm, Germany, 29 and 30 October 2015

The Coordinator took part in the Annual Forum organised by DG REGIO in Ulm. Among other events and together with Commissioner Cretu, the Coordinator took part in a meeting with inland waterway industry organised by ProDanube association. Industry representatives presented their point of view and asked for the action that the Commission intends to put in place for the restoration of the good navigability of the Danube River.

Commissioner Cretu stressed the attention that Danube Strategy sets in promoting urgent measures for the rehabilitation of the navigability conditions and the Coordinator reported about the important funding that have been devoted to IWT in the first Call of the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) Programme.

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