In a letter addressed to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Spain and 10 other EU leaders have urged Brussels to increase funding for high-speed rail infrastructure. The initiative underscores the critical role that an efficient and extensive rail network plays in enhancing the competitiveness of Europe’s internal market and achieving environmental objectives. The signatories argue that accelerated investment in high-speed train lines is essential to complete major transport corridors that interconnect the continent.
Completing the Key Corridors
Among the pressing priorities is the completion of the interconnection between the Atlantic and Mediterranean corridors a project of particular importance to Spain and Portugal. The letter emphasizes that finishing these links will not only improve connectivity between capitals and major cities but will also contribute significantly to the decarbonisation of the transport sector. While countries such as the Czech Republic and Lithuania are focused on developing their domestic high-speed networks, Spain and Portugal see this initiative as an opportunity to bolster cross-border connections and enhance overall network resilience.
Environmental and Strategic Benefits
The letter highlights that a better-connected Europe is instrumental in driving economic growth and sustainability. By investing in high-speed rail, the EU can reduce reliance on more polluting modes of transport, thereby contributing to its broader decarbonisation goals. Moreover, the signatories point out that such infrastructure improvements will also strengthen military mobility a factor that has recently come under scrutiny in reports by the European Court of Auditors. They stress that the synergies between transport, energy, digital, and defence sectors must be maintained to create a resilient European infrastructure.
Funding and Conditionalities
At the heart of the appeal is a demand for a more ambitious and centrally managed version of the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF III). The leaders insist that a significant increase in EU co-financing for rail projects is not only desirable but essential. They warn that imposing excessive conditionalities could delay critical connections and jeopardize the completion of the trans-European transport network (TEN-T) within the agreed deadlines. With the current CEF budget set at €25.8 billion for 2021-27, the signatories are calling for a substantial increase in the next multiannual financial framework to double common investment in ecological transition and defence.
Looking Toward a Fully Integrated Network
The ambitious roadmap for the TEN-T network spans several decades, with the core network slated for completion by 2030, the extended core network by 2040, and the comprehensive network by 2050. By urging Brussels to act now and invest more robustly, Spain and its partners aim to accelerate this timeline, ensuring that Europe’s high-speed rail system becomes a cornerstone of a sustainable, smart, and resilient transport network.
