Commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas delivered a keynote speech at the 2025 annual event of the Association of Greek Officials in International Organisations (SEYDO), emphasizing a comprehensive and strategic vision for Europe's transport and tourism sectors. His proposals focus on enhancing competitiveness, sustainability, and security within the European Union's transport infrastructure and tourism industry, with particular attention to Greek stakeholders.
Strengthening Transport Infrastructure and Mobility
Tzitzikostas underlined the urgent need for a cohesive and modernized EU transport network covering roads, railways, ports, and airports. He addressed the importance of integrating military mobility with civilian infrastructure, advocating for dual-use approaches benefiting both defense and economic activity. Concrete targets include completion of the EU’s core TEN-T network by 2030, backed by an ambitious budget surpassing €200 billion through the Connecting Europe Facility. Additionally, he stressed the strategic role of enhanced investments in sustainable and innovative transport technologies to foster competitiveness among EU transport operators and enterprises.
Balancing Stakeholder Interests: Business, Consumers, and Public Authorities
The commissioner’s approach calibrates increased EU coordination without centralizing all financial responsibilities on member states, blending EU funds with national and private investments. This may pose moderate new compliance and capital costs for producers in transport sectors while offering opportunities for technological advancement and market expansion. Consumers and EU citizens stand to benefit from improved mobility, safety standards, and integrated services, though the pace of implementation will be closely observed. National authorities will shoulder ongoing operational responsibilities but gain from increased cohesion and funding transparency.
Enhancing Tourism Through Regulatory Alignment
Tzitzikostas also pledged to reinforce the European tourism brand by promoting sustainable and resilient development, fostering public-private partnerships, and supporting the regulatory framework, particularly in aeronautics and maritime transport. He highlighted collaboration with international bodies and underscored tourism’s economic and cultural significance for Greece and Europe.
Overall, the commissioner’s speech outlines detailed policy orientations with measurable investment targets and institutional cooperation, seeking to balance enhanced EU strategic integration against national interests and sectoral competitiveness. While these initiatives signal a notable expansion of EU involvement in transport and tourism, their success will depend on effective implementation and stakeholder engagement.