High-speed rail (HSR) plays a vital role in promoting regional cohesion, advancing climate goals, and supporting economic growth in Europe. This session will explore how a connected European HSR network can bridge the gap between urban and rural areas, strengthen territorial cohesion, and create sustainable economic opportunities across the continent. Linking all capitals and major cities by HSR will help reduce carbon emissions, shift demand from road and air to rail, and deliver real benefits for Europe’s regions, including improved accessibility, stronger business connections, job creation, and better quality of life.
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- Cohesion | Mobility and Transport | Sustainable
- Code: Side253606
- Rue Wiertz 60, Brussels, Belgium
Practical information
- When
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Wed 05/11/2025, 15:30 - 17:30 CET
- Where
- Rue Wiertz 60, Brussels, Belgium
- Type of partnership
- EURegionsWeek close to you
- Format
- Side
- Theme
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Cohesion and Growth for the Future
- Language
- English
Partners
Eurocities
Reporting
Session summary
1. A united call for a European high-speed rail network
Eurocities and CER jointly urged the EU to accelerate the creation of a truly European high-speed rail (HSR) network connecting all capitals and major cities. The initiative was endorsed by Members of the European Parliament, the European Commission, mayors, and rail industry leaders.
2. Strong alignment with the European Commission’s new HSR master plan
Held on the same day the Commission unveiled its HSR action plan (5 November), the event celebrated the EU’s ambition to triple high-speed rail traffic by 2050 and welcomed the new policy framework as a cornerstone of sustainable European mobility.
3. The CER–Eurocities Joint Declaration
Presented to the European Parliament Vice-Presidents and the Commission, the declaration outlines shared priorities:
Complete the TEN-T corridors to achieve a viable, coherent HSR network across Europe.
Secure long-term, predictable financing (public, private, and EU) — an estimated €546 billion by 2050.
Ensure seamless, passenger-friendly ticketing linking long-distance and local transport.
Guarantee fair competition with other modes through balanced taxation and cross-border monitoring.
4. Shared commitment across institutions and stakeholders
Commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas, senior Commission officials, mayors, rail CEOs (FS, DB, PKP, ÖBB), and industry representatives (Siemens, Ferrovial) stressed the need for:
Coordinated planning between EU, national, and city levels;
Faster project delivery and harmonisation of standards;
Integration of HSR with urban mobility for door-to-door connectivity.
5. The political momentum is here — now delivery must follow
Speakers including Enrico Letta and several MEPs underlined that Europe now has both the vision and the framework for a connected continent by high-speed rail — but that implementation, governance, and sustained funding will determine success.
6. Broad support and growing endorsement
The declaration is open for individual signature by rail CEOs and city mayors. Early supporters include:
Andreas Matthä (ÖBB) – CER Chair
Alan Beroud (PKP) – incoming CER Chair
Mayors and deputy mayors from Łódź, Budapest, Amsterdam, The Hague, Mannheim, Brescia, and Netwerkstad Twente
Quotes
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High-speed rail is not only about faster travel — it is about a more connected, competitive, and sustainable Europe.
We fully support Europe’s vision for a connected, interoperable, and high-performing high-speed rail network.
A Metropolitan Network connecting 250 million EU citizens can be realised with the High-Speed Rail Network Plan as a starting point for concrete actions regarding infrastructure, interoperability, and an intermodal level playing field.
