Euromed Transport Program progresses significantly

The Program aims at enhancing partnerships between the European Union and its southern Mediterranean neighbours, leading towards establishing an efficient transport system in the region, developing Mediterranean infrastructure and eventually interconnecting it to the Trans-Europe networks.

The final purpose of Euromed Transport is to create a Euro-Mediterranean Free Trade Zone. Almost forty countries with over eight hundred million consumers are expected to come together under this free trade agreement, making it one of the world's largest and most important trade entities. The partnerships' objectives of shared prosperity and safety in the region brought to light the necessity of developing transportation infrastructure and policy.

The mission started with the production of a Diagnostic Study on the transport system at hand.

Arwa Al-Hiyari, the National Coordinator for the Euro-Med Transport Program in Jordan, explains:

"International transport experts came to Jordan, Syria, Egypt, Tunis and the rest of the Mediterranean partner countries. They came on fact-finding missions to identify bottlenecks in civil aviation, road transport and the maritime sector."

The Diagnostic Study not only identified weak points but also offered valuable insight into developmental activities. The study resulted in an unprecedented discussion forum between regional experts from the European Commission and the rest of the Mediterranean, allowing for important collaboration between the parties.

In 2004, the next step was realized. The "Blue Paper", a strategic discussion on Euro-Mediterranean transport policy, intended to guide the definition of common transport policies and investment priorities in Mediterranean countries.

Findings and conclusions from both the Diagnostic Study and the Blue Paper were followed in 2007 by the drafting of the Regional Transport Action Plan, with an agenda set for completion by 2013. The Plan outlined 34 necessary actions for the creation of the necessary well-functioned multi-modal transport system in the region.

"The recommendations of the action plan have been taken into consideration by the Ministry of Transportation in forming the national transport plan, several projects are currently underway," says Hiyari, citing a few examples.

Expansion of the Queen Alia Airport is one of the projects currently in motion to increase its passenger traffic from the current annual 3.5 million to 9 million passengers. In addition, a comprehensive master plan on development of the railway system in Jordan is proposing the establishment of two major railway tracks; a north-south line between the Syrian border and the port of Aqaba and an east-west line stretching from East Jordan to the Iraqi and Saudi Borders.

On the Maritime aspect, the Aqaba Development Corporation, the investment arm of the Aqaba Special Economic Zone, is currently working on the relocation and development of the port of Aqaba. This reform is to increase efficiency, encourage private sector participation and reduce environmental problems.

The Diagnostic Study also revealed that 95% of overall external trade of the Mediterranean partner countries taking place with EU member states, a clear indication of the benefit of a free trade area and the development of an integrated transport system.

"We face quiet a few challenges; applying and maintaining international standards is one, it requires expertise which is often lacked. Funding is also a big issue, we've tried to solve it by looking into partnerships with the private sector but a lot of investment is still needed," adds Hiyari.

With EUR9.7m budget, the participating Mediterranean countries in the Euromed Transport Program are Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, the Palestinian Authority, Syria, Tunisia, and Turkey.