EU transport policy​

An important objective of the EU transport policy is to enable the internal market through a functioning, sustainable, multimodal and cross-border transport system. The trans-European transport network TEN-T is the most important instrument. It helps to increase economic, social and territorial cohesion between all Member States and their regions, as well as outside the EU.​

Transport flows change globally in multitude as well as in direction, while the transport system undergoes a transformation towards digitization and clean and autonomous mobility. CEF (Connecting European Facility) is a transport financing mechanism for implementing TEN-T, and will contribute to an EU transition towards a smart, sustainable, inclusive, safe and secure mobility. CEF will establish the strategic core network by 2030 and the network's more extensive layer no later than 2050.​

North Sweden European Office and Transport policy​

North Sweden strives to influence the design of the EU transport policy based on the conditions of northern Sweden. The goal is for the EU to support a transport system that links Europe's northern parts inter-regionally, along border crossings, within the EU and towards the rest of the world. It is of great importance for a geographically large but sparsely populated region with an export-intensive industry. The work is carried out in close collaboration with regional representatives and with actors in Brussels who share Northern Sweden's visions and goals.​

A priority for North Sweden's owners is the extension of the transport corridor ScanMed, from Scandinavia to the Mediterranean. North Sweden keeps close dialogues with the Commission and other EU institutions, to uphold that ScanMed should be connected to Northern Sweden. North Sweden will strive to show the needs of the region at the revision of TEN-T which begins in 2019. ​

North Sweden also strives to show the EU Northern Sweden's need for a functioning infrastructure via the Northern Axis Railroad, "Malmbanan" and "Haparandabanan" and further towards the Trans-Siberian railway - for European growth and the conditions in a larger Arctic context. In this context, the need for other cross-connections including the Barents Barents Euro-Arctic Pan-European Transport Area, BEATA, is highlighted as an important platform for collaboration.​

North Sweden also monitors the other parts of TEN-T's overall network in order for the road network and other objects to benefit from EU infrastructure financing, including the need for a functioning connection across the Kvarken, and so that more ports and terminals will qualify for funding. ​

North Sweden also monitor EU legislation in other areas that affect transport policy, for example competition law, environment such as state aid rules and the sulfur directive. ​

North Sweden provides support to the region for participation in EU-funded programs and other financial mechanisms.​

Transport Policy in Northern Sweden​

Well working transport through a well-functioning transport system, within and between the regions is a prerequisite for growth, attractiveness and competitiveness nationally and internationally. The heavy and export-intensive industry of Northern Sweden requires good connections to the European market. It is also necessary for a regional local market, as well as access to markets in Asia and across the North Atlantic with the new routes on land through sea in the Arctic. An efficient transport network is also necessary in order to attract and keep a labor force. Northern Sweden has relatively large cities along the coast which can be linked by rail to increase commuting possibilities, which the building of the Bothnia Line has shown. Regional airports are very important for peripheral regions and necessary for regional development.​

Among other things, the EU transport Policy has enabled the start of the construction of the North Bothnia Line, the construction of the Bothnialine, as well as the extension of Luleå harbor and upgrades of Malmbanan, Haparandabanan and a ferry connection across the Kvarken.