Executive Vice-President Raffaele Fitto, answering a parliamentary question from S&D MEP Brando Benifei, reaffirmed the Commission's commitment to the Terzo Valico dei Giovi railway project, a key TEN-T link on the North Sea-Rhine-Mediterranean corridor. The answer, delivered on behalf of the Commission, signals that the project's NRRP funding remains tied to the assessment of target M3C1-9, which will be evaluated upon Italy's final payment request in 2026.
Benifei had raised concerns about the project's financing and implementation, noting that only 24.86% of the total EUR 9.66 billion allocated had been disbursed by October 2025, with EUR 3.62 billion coming from the NRRP. He also flagged uncertainties over the Lombardy section's financial coverage, essential for full operability and modal shift objectives.
Fitto's response did not provide new financial commitments or specific timelines for the Lombardy section. Instead, it reiterated the existing legal framework: the Commission will verify compliance with the conditions in the Council Implementing Decision when Italy submits its last payment request. The answer also recalled that the Commission's 2021 assessment of Italy's NRRP had already deemed the plan consistent with green transition and territorial cohesion goals.
Policy orientation and institutional follow-up
The answer reflects a cautious, process-oriented approach: the Commission avoids reopening the project's financial architecture or accelerating disbursements, instead anchoring progress to the existing milestone-based system. This stance may reassure stakeholders seeking legal certainty but offers little immediate relief for those concerned about delays.
Stakeholders impacted include Italian rail infrastructure managers (e.g., RFI), who face continued uncertainty over the Lombardy section's funding; EU logistics operators relying on the Rhine-Alpine corridor for freight; Italian taxpayers, who bear the risk of cost overruns; and environmental groups, who see modal shift benefits postponed.
The Commission's next concrete step will be Italy's submission of the final payment request in 2026, which will trigger the formal milestone assessment. No interim review or additional funding signals were announced.
Importance score: 45