Page 45 - ΝΑΥΤΙΚΑ ΧΡΟΝΙΚΑ - SEPT 2025

The next multiannual

financial framework:

Transport and tourism

become priority sectors with

increased funding

by Eliza Vozemberg,
Chair of the Committee on Transport and Tourism
of the European Parliament

The proposal for the next multiannual financial framework (MFF), published on 16 July
2025, reflects the EU’s continued commitment to economic growth, competitiveness,
resilience, and security. In my capacity as Chair of the Transport and Tourism
Committee of the European Parliament, I am pleased to announce that transport
and tourism have been firmly established as key priorities under the next MFF,
accompanied by a substantial increase in the EU budget allocated to transport
infrastructure.

During our committee meeting on 16 July, the current framework. In the area of mil- that, under the new MFF, tourism will
the Commissioner for Sustainable itary mobility, funding will rise to €17.65 be more prominently anchored as a key
Transport and Tourism, Mr Apostolos billion, representing a tenfold increase priority, finally shedding more light on
Tzitzikostas, presented the proposal and compared to the current MFF. These this silent powerhouse of the European
engaged in an exchange of views with substantial budget increases undoubt- economy.
members, who expressed their broad edly mark a pivotal step in addressing Furthermore, flexibility will be a guid-
agreement and support, acknowledg- the existing disparities in connectivity ing principle in the next MFF, giving us
ing that the interests of the transport and accessibility across the EU, serving the necessary space to respond to any
and tourism sectors have been defended as a testament to the critical importance unforeseen challenges. Despite initial
in the Union’s forthcoming long-term of these sectors for the competitive, sus- concerns over the restructuring of the
budget. tainable, and secure future of our Union. next framework, I remain confident
Competitiveness and security are two Beyond enhancing transport alone, this that the interests and priorities of the
major priorities in our current mandate, newly restructured MFF has further and transport and tourism sectors have been
and the Connecting Europe Facility broader implications, most crucially adequately reflected and secured in the
(CEF) can help us deliver on both. That for tourism. As one of Europe’s eco- next MFF and have been given the fund-
is why the continuation and reinforce- nomic cornerstones, accounting for 10% ing that they rightfully deserve.
ment of this facility under the next long- of the EU’s GDP, tourism is intrinsically However, even with sound and robust
term budget is of utmost importance for linked to the availability of efficient, funding, our work is far from over. Now
the transport sector. The CEF has been, multimodal, and sustainable transport more than ever, we must ensure that
is, and will continue to be a valuable asset, networks. After all, for tourism to thrive, such funding is used in a fit-for-purpose
especially with regard to successfully we must first ensure seamless, accessi- and future-proof manner, while we also
completing the Trans-European Trans- ble, and affordable cross-border travel continue to strive for better results. In
port Network (TEN-T). throughout our diverse Union. Before the my capacity as Chair, I am eager to work
The next MFF’s budgetary figures speak start of this mandate, I formally com- with all fellow committee members and
for themselves. Under the next frame- municated to President von der Leyen the industry to achieve our shared goal:
work, the new budget for transport the need to emphasise tourism’s impor- a Europe whose transport and tourism
will amount to €51.5 billion, which is tance at the European level. It is there- sectors are more competitive, resilient,
double the allocation provided under fore my sincere pleasure to announce and sustainable than ever before.

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