In a speech at Connecting Europe Days 2026, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen set out priorities for a European Transport Union centered on completing cross-border infrastructure, scaling transport innovation and strengthening resilience to climate and geopolitical risks. She called for completion of the Trans-European Transport Network and highlighted the Commission’s proposal to allocate more than EUR 50 billion to transport under the next long-term European Union budget, more than twice the funding currently available. The Commission estimates that completing the network could increase European gross domestic product by 2.4% by 2050, equivalent to EUR 467 billion. Planned links include a direct Lisbon-Madrid high-speed rail service with a five-hour journey by 2030 and an approximately three-hour journey by 2034. Von der Leyen also highlighted cross-border charging corridors for zero-emission trucks and an agreement among 18 member states to establish large-scale autonomous vehicle testbeds using common approval principles and coordinated permitting. The Commission plans to present a European framework for climate resilience in October 2026 to address risks including heat, flooding, drought and rising sea levels. Transport links with Ukraine, Moldova and the Western Balkans will also form part of efforts to prepare the network for possible further EU enlargement.
European Commission President sets out Transport Union priorities and plans climate resilience framework
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen outlined a European Transport Union focused on cross-border infrastructure, innovation and climate resilience. The Commission has proposed more than EUR 50 billion for transport under the next long-term EU budget and plans to present a European climate resilience framework in October 2026. Priorities include completing the Trans-European Transport Network, expanding charging corridors and coordinating autonomous vehicle testing.