The EU transport policy: solidarity, interoperability and sustainability

The Russian attack on Ukraine has redefined the EU's geopolitical landscape, brought to the surface the EU's vulnerability to unforeseen disruptive events beyond its borders, and highlighted the fact that the EU internal market and its transport network cannot be viewed in isolation when shaping EU policies, including its external relations. The war in Ukraine has also made the need for interoperability with neighbouring countries even more pressing, as the solidarity factor adds to the emergency of achieving a coherent and integrated transport policy, where bottlenecks in cross-border points are tackled and financial instruments are mobilised.

The EESC has recently tackled these issues in two opinions, in which solidarity, interoperability and sustainability are highlighted as key factors for the transport. The proposed debate around these two opinions will analyse the impact and recent developments of the situation on the ground a few months after their adoption.

This thematic debate will aim to identify the best ways to eliminate the current barriers in the most efficient way, while laying the foundation for smooth and seamless transport flows between the EU and neighbouring countries such as Ukraine and Moldova. Topics to be addressed are interconnections, interoperability, TEN-T, urgent infrastructure investment, payment guarantees, funding instruments, and insurance for entrepreneurs involved in the transport of goods between the EU and Ukraine. 

The event will be webstreamed on the of the event.