ECR Vice-President Juraj Droba today held a consultation with over a hundred stakeholders to discuss his opinion on the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) post-2027. The CEF is a key EU funding programme, part of the next Multiannual Financial Framework 2028-2034, that aims to support the financing of strategic infrastructure in the areas of transport and energy. 

With a proposed budget of €81.4 billion, the programme has seen an increase in its budget allocation, underlining a growing importance of this line of funding. In addition, this week's stakeholder consultation held by Mr Droba followed the European Commission's military mobility package, focusing on boosting railways, roads and other infrastructures to facilitate the movement of troops and equipment across the continent.

"As President of the Bratislava Region, located at the border with two countries, I see the benefits of CEF on the ground. An important part of the railway line between Bratislava and the Czech border is currently being modernised. Once completed, the travelling time between Bratislava and the city of Brno will be significantly reduced, "said Mr Droba. 

As representative of a cross-border region, Vice-President Droba underlined the cross-border dimension of CEF. "I consider it a programme of strategic importance, with a clear and substantial territorial impact."

From the perspective of local and regional authorities, the next CEF proposal is ambitious in both its budget and objectives. "I would nevertheless welcome a stronger territorial dimension and a more visible role for local and regional authorities," Mr Droba concluded.