prospects of clean systems, concentrating on
alternative technologies, such as electric vehi-
cles, hydrogen/fuel cells, biofuels, natural gas
and synthetic fuels.
More specifically, the Greek presidency intends to
implement the Commission’s proposals on:
●the modernization of the European transport
and logistics sectors, which is expected to allow
businesses to save time and energy and
reduce emissions, assisted by proposals on rail
and freight transport, the transport of goods
between ports in the EU, as well as the Single
European Sky;
●the elimination of obstacles to cross-border
electronic payments;
●the support of investment on high speed net-
works;
●the enhancement of broadband network cover-
age and capacity, by reducing the development
costs and releasing bandwidth for wireless
broadband communications.
In the field of telecommunications, the Greek
presidency will continue to promote the Digital
Agenda for jobs and growth. Europe must support
market trends and the citizens’ way of living.
Technology and the Internet should maximize
sustainable growth and create new services for
the citizen. Key priorities will include high-speed
broadband networks, cloud-based computing,
ICT trust and security, on-line services, as well as
research and innovation.
The “Connecting Europe” Facility will be, along with
the cohesion policy, one of the EU’s most obvious
contributions to the effort of eliminating these obsta-
cles by enhancing infrastructure.
According to the objectives of the Greek presidency,
this process will move in parallel with the consolida-
tion of the regulatory framework. More work has to
be done for the creation of a genuinely European
Transport Area with European rules: priority should
be given to proposals regarding railway connections
and the faster implementation of the Single
European Sky.
More specifically, the plans for the Transport sector
include:
●Connecting Europe Facility: Ireland will promote
interconnected transport and digital networks,
which are priorities for Europe’s economic and
social development. The Connecting Europe
Facility, which is part of the Multiannual
Financial Framework (MFF), will determine the
Union’s investment in the fields of energy,
telecommunications, digital networks and
transport infrastructure.
●Trans-European Networks [TEN-T]: TEN-T
includes a series of guidelines and prerequi-
sites for developing the European Transport
Network by 2050. The TEN-T plan will support
the operation of the internal market and will
enhance Europe’s competitiveness.
●Fourth Railway Package: This is one of the three
transport agendas for the promotion of a highly
competitive and modern transport infrastructure
network throughout the entire EU.
●Airport Package: Commercial aviation is a top pri-
ority, both for consumers and exporters. Since
70% of flight delays are caused by problems that
occur on the ground and not on the air, the
Airport Package aims at promoting efficiency
and competitiveness in Europe’s airports.
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