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The European Parliament has begun its work on the future Connecting Europe Facility (CEF III) for the 2028–2034 period, with a draft report by co-rapporteurs MEP Oihane Agirregoitia Martínez (TRAN) and MEP Kamila Gasiuk-Pihowicz (ITRE). The report, tabled under the joint committee procedure (Rule 59), confirms a strong political focus on accelerating investment in trans-European infrastructure and strengthening Europe’s competitiveness, resilience and security.

The draft report reinforces the central role of transport and energy networks in ensuring a well-functioning single market and highlights the need for a more coordinated and investment-driven approach. In particular, the draft highlights that effective and secure freight transport is indispensable for supplying goods, sustaining economic activity and supporting military security.

From a CLECAT perspective, several elements are of particular relevance.   First, the report strengthens the emphasis on timely completion of the TEN-T network, especially cross-border sections. This reflects a shift towards delivery and implementation, with clearer prioritisation of key corridors and bottlenecks. The focus on European Transport Corridors as the backbone of multimodal transport flows is also reinforced, alongside the expectation of coordinated investment planning and implementation timelines.

Second, there is a clear push for greater predictability and transparency in funding. The draft introduces stronger requirements for multiannual work programmes, including indicative budgets, timelines and policy priorities. This is a positive development for logistics operators and project promoters, as it allows for better planning, preparation and alignment of investments.

Third, the report underlines the importance of synergies between transport, energy and military mobility. The general objectives of the programme are broadened to include not only infrastructure development, but also resilience, decarbonisation and the facilitation of dual-use infrastructure. In particular, the prioritisation of “hotspot” investments and key corridors for military mobility confirms the growing strategic dimension of EU infrastructure policy.

In the energy pillar, the draft places increased emphasis on grid development, cross-border interconnections and system integration, recognising the scale of investment needed to support electrification and renewable energy deployment. It also introduces stronger language on resilience, including protection against cyber and hybrid threats, and highlights the importance of addressing bottlenecks affecting cross-border energy flows.  Importantly, the report reiterates the principle of technological neutrality, ensuring that EU funding does not favour specific technologies but supports the most effective solutions based on project needs and market developments.

Overall, the draft report points towards a more strategic and security-driven CEF, with a stronger focus on implementation, coordination and investment certainty, while maintaining alignment with decarbonisation objectives.