Editing Trans-European Networks (section)

{{Short description|European Union infrastructure corridors and agreements}}
{{primary sources|date=October 2012}}
The '''Trans-European Networks''' ('''TEN''') were created by the [[European Union]] by Articles 154–156 of the [[Treaty of Rome]] (1957), with the stated goals of the creation of an internal market and the reinforcement of economic and [[group cohesiveness|social cohesion]]. To various supporters of this policy, it made little sense to talk of a big EU market, with [[freedom of movement]] within it for goods, persons and services, unless the various regions and national networks making up that market were properly linked by modern and efficient infrastructure. The construction of Trans-European Networks was also seen as an important element for economic growth and the creation of employment.

The [[Treaty Establishing the European Community]] first provided a legal basis for the TENs. Under the terms of Chapter XV of the Treaty (Articles 154, 155 and 156), the European Union must aim to promote the development of Trans-European Networks as a key element for the creation of the Internal Market and the reinforcement of Economic and Social Cohesion. This development includes the interconnection and [[interoperability]] of national networks as well as access to such networks.

According with these objectives, the [[European Commission]] developed guidelines covering the objectives, priorities, identification of projects of common interest and broad lines of measures for the three sectors concerned (Transports, Energy and Telecommunications). The [[European Parliament]] and the [[Council of the European Union|Council]] approved these guidelines after consultation with the [[Economic and Social Committee]] and the [[Committee of the Regions]].

Many projects of common interest have benefited from financial support of the European Union budget through the TEN-budget line as well as the Structural Funds and Cohesion Fund. The [[European Investment Bank]] has also greatly contributed to the financing of these projects through loans.

Three classes of network were defined by the treaty:
*[[Trans-European Transport Networks]] (TEN-T)
*[[Trans-European Energy Networks]] (TEN-E or TEN-Energy)
*[[Trans-European Telecommunications Networks]] (eTEN)