Annexes to COM(2025)131 - Communication to the EP concerning the Council's position on a Regulation on a mechanism to resolve legal and administrative obstacles in a cross-border context - Main contents
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This page contains a limited version of this dossier in the EU Monitor.
| dossier | COM(2025)131 - Communication to the EP concerning the Council's position on a Regulation on a mechanism to resolve legal and administrative ... |
|---|---|
| document | COM(2025)131  |
| date | March 25, 2025 |
·The agreement introduces the new title, ‘Regulation on a Border Regions’ instrument for development and growth (BRIDGEforEU)’.
·The agreement provides for cross-border coordination points to be set up on a voluntary basis in each Member State. Member States that choose not to set up at least one coordination point, and Member States that need time to set up a coordination point, must appoint a relevant authority. That authority can be contacted by coordination points in neighbouring Member States and it can deal with cross-border files.
·The agreement excludes natural persons from the definition of initiators to reduce the number of cross-border files that could be submitted by initiators to the cross-border coordination points.
·The agreement exempts the insular Member States from having to appoint a relevant authority.
·The agreement introduces the voluntary use of a similar coordination framework for the EU border regions to cooperate with candidate or associated countries.
·The agreement removes the requirement to set up national public registers of cross-border files in each Member State. Instead, a single register will be maintained at EU level, and will be fed with the data that the Member States have to send. A new annex clarifies the structured information to be provided.
·The agreement reduces the frequency with which data and information have to be sent to the Commission from four times a year to once a year. The annex sets out the reporting requirements for Member States with or without cross-border coordination points.
·The agreement clarifies: (i) that there will be no impact on Member States’ right to use existing procedures or international agreements for resolving cross-border obstacles, or to create new such procedures or agreements; (ii) the list of tasks of the cross-border coordination points; (iii) the possible transfers of files between cross-border coordination points; (iv) the scope of legal redress; (v) the possible sources of EU financial support; and (vi) the applicable deadlines for replying to initiators.
The Commission supports the agreement reached.
By proposing that cross-border coordination points must be set up in each Member State, the Commission’s amended proposal aimed to support cross-border cooperation by promoting the creation of an effective network to share knowledge, build capacity and ensure the equal treatment of initiators in all Member States.
However, the voluntary approach would create a strong spillover effect through a gradual roll-out, also in Member States and regions without a cross-border coordination point but with a relevant authority. The agreement will also increase the visibility of cross-border files and enable the Commission to support the enhancement of Member States’ institutional capacity, also through knowledge sharing.
The annex to this communication proposes a legislative financial and digital statement reflecting the impact on the Commission’s resources of establishing a Union-wide register of cross-border files, without requiring Member States to set up national public registers for such files.
4. Conclusion
The Council’s position is acceptable to the Commission. It reflects the objectives of the Commission’s amended proposal and will facilitate the identification and resolution of cross-border obstacles stemming from diverging technical standards, administrative procedures and laws. Addressing these barriers that hinder the deployment of cross-border infrastructure or public services projects will: (i) improve the functioning of the EU single market; (ii) support the development of EU’s border regions; and (iii) give people and businesses better access to services and economic opportunities.