Brussels, 29 September, (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has put plans for an EU Transport Union at the centre of Europe’s infrastructure agenda, calling for stronger cross-border connections to improve competitiveness, resilience and security.
Von der Leyen is delivering the opening address at Connecting Europe Days 2026 in Brussels on Tuesday. The European Commission’s flagship transport event runs until 1 October and brings together EU policymakers, industry representatives and infrastructure specialists.
Von der Leyen calls for a true Transport Union
The Commission president said Europe needs a more integrated transport system capable of supporting citizens, businesses and the bloc’s wider strategic interests.
Ahead of the opening ceremony, von der Leyen said:
“Transport turns the promise of a connected Europe into an everyday experience.”
She added:
“We want to build the transport system Europe will need for the decades ahead and create a true Transport Union.”
Both quotations were published by the European Commission on 28 September as von der Leyen prepared to address the Brussels conference. She also said Europe was reinforcing transport infrastructure on which its economy and communities depend.
Cross-border rail and infrastructure take priority
The EU Transport Union ambition covers rail, roads, aviation, ports and other strategically important infrastructure rather than representing a single standalone legislative proposal.
One priority is completing the Trans-European Transport Network and removing remaining cross-border bottlenecks. The Commission is also focusing on high-speed rail and better passenger connections, alongside infrastructure investment and transport resilience.
Tuesday’s conference programme includes discussions on creating a common European railway gauge. Portugal, Spain, Finland, the Baltic states and candidate countries Ukraine and Moldova are among those affected by moves towards standardisation under the TEN-T framework.
A separate session is examining the EU’s new rail infrastructure capacity framework, which entered into force in June 2026 and is intended to improve management of Europe’s railway network.
Military mobility becomes transport priority
Security is another major element of the Commission’s transport strategy.
Tuesday’s first plenary focuses on whether European transport networks are prepared for military requirements and emerging threats. The Commission says military mobility has become an important part of transport policy as Europe’s security environment changes.
Transport Commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas and Defence Commissioner Andrius Kubilius are among the policymakers participating alongside military representatives.
The issue matters because roads, railways, bridges and ports designed primarily for civilian use can also be critical to moving military personnel and equipment.
EU links transport investment to competitiveness
Brussels is increasingly connecting transport policy with Europe’s economic competitiveness.
The Commission says Connecting Europe Days will examine how to secure infrastructure investment while strengthening resilience and eliminating bottlenecks. Discussions include funding through the Connecting Europe Facility, Cohesion Policy and future National and Regional Partnership Plans.
The conference also covers autonomous vehicles, digital transport systems, sustainable aviation, ports and multimodal passenger connections.
What happens next?
Connecting Europe Days continues in Brussels until 1 October. Further sessions will examine infrastructure financing, passenger connectivity and Europe’s wider transport network.
Von der Leyen’s EU Transport Union is currently a broad policy ambition rather than one newly announced law. Its practical development will depend on subsequent EU measures, investment decisions and implementation of existing transport initiatives across member states.
