How the EU wants countries to tweak transport policy

(EurActiv, 6 Jun 2019) The European Commission unveiled a whole series of country-by-country recommendations on Wednesday (5 June), including guidance on how to improve transport links and boost sustainability through shrewd investments.

As part of the 2019 European semester, the EU executive issued all 28 EU countries advice on economic policy for the next 12 to 18 months.

Away from the nitty-gritty of financial targets and government debt, many of the recommendations urge investment in sustainable transport options and infrastructure. 

Here is a breakdown of what the Commission advises each of the member states to do in their transport sector by the end of next year. However, it is important to note that countries only implement on average 40% of the executive’s recommendations.

Austria

The Commission’s recommendations for the Alpine nation are among the few that actually do not explicitly mention transport. Instead, the executive advises the Austrians to get more renewable energy into its systems and to focus investment on research and development.

Representatives from the EU’s Innovation and Networks Executive Agency visited Austria’s biggest infrastructure project this week. The EU-funded Brenner Base Tunnel will link the republic with Italy, via the longest underground railway connection in the world.

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EurActiv, 6 Jun 2019: How the EU wants countries to tweak transport policy