Tracks of Cooperation: CER and Eurocities Join Forces for a Faster, Greener Europe

Cities and railways are uniting to fast-track Europe’s high-speed ambitions. Eurocities and CER have called on the EU to accelerate investment and build a truly seamless rail network across the continent.

Eurocities and the Community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies (CER) co-hosted the high-level Connecting Europe at High-Speed event under the patronage of European Parliament Vice-President Antonella Sberna, joined by Vice-Presidents Ewa Kopacz, Pina Picierno, and Nicolae Ștefănuță. The meeting gathered MEPs, European Commission officials, mayors, and railway executives to explore how to deliver a truly European high-speed rail network connecting cities and regions across the continent.

CER and Eurocities presented its Joint Declaration on Connecting Europe at High-Speed to European Commissioner @tzitzikostas

MEPs, mayors and the rail sector discussed how to deliver a truly European #HighSpeedRail network connecting cities and regions across the continent. pic.twitter.com/sb6vcbP8vw

— CER🚆 #OnTrackForEurope (@CER_railways) November 6, 2025

Building the Backbone of European Mobility

The European Commission’s master plan for a pan-European high-speed network, unveiled on 5 November, was at the centre of discussion. At the event, CER and Eurocities presented a joint declaration of support to Parliament Vice-Presidents and the Commission, outlining shared recommendations for accelerating high-speed deployment as a pillar of sustainable European mobility. The Joint Declaration praises the EU’s commitment to tripling high-speed rail traffic by 2050 and highlights the sector’s potential to drive sustainable growth, cohesion, and climate progress. It calls for:

• Completion of the TEN-T high-speed corridors, connecting all EU capitals and major cities.
• Long-term, sustainable funding combining EU, national, and private investment to meet the estimated €546 billion needed by 2050.
• Seamless ticketing integrating long-distance and local mobility systems.
• A level playing field with aviation and road transport through fair taxation and cross-border monitoring.

Voices from Europe’s Institutions and Cities

European Commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas, Vincenzo Matano (Head of Cabinet to EVP Fitto), and Kristian Schmidt, Director for Land Transport, highlighted key aspects of the new HSR action plan. Cities were represented by Hanna Zdanowska, Mayor of Łódź, and Dávid Vitézy, Chair of the Budapest City Assembly’s Transport Committee. Railways were represented by Luigi Corradi (FS International), Marco Kampp (DB Fernverkehr), and Alberto Mazzola (CER Executive Director). André Rodenbeck (Siemens Mobility) and Gustavo Martínez (Ferrovial Construction) joined the panel moderated by Thomas Lymes of Eurocities.

A Shared Call for Coordinated Action

Enrico Letta, President of the Jacques Delors Institute, urged all stakeholders to ensure the new framework delivers real connectivity across the EU. Several Members of the European Parliament—including Massimiliano Salini, Dariusz Jonski, Carlo Ciccioli, and Arash Saeidi—echoed the call for unified action.

Participants stressed that EU institutions, Member States, financial institutions, train builders, cities, and operators must work together to accelerate project delivery, harmonise standards, and ensure affordable, passenger-friendly travel. Integrating high-speed rail with local urban mobility was identified as essential to achieve truly door-to-door European connectivity.

Signatures and Next Steps

To sustain momentum, the CER–Eurocities Declaration is open for endorsement by rail CEOs and city mayors across Europe. Early supporters include CER Chair Andreas Matthä (ÖBB), incoming Chair Alan Beroud (PKP), and city leaders from Łódź, Budapest, Amsterdam, The Hague, Mannheim, Brescia, and Netwerkstad Twente. Additional signatures will be collected until year-end.

"High-speed rail is not only about faster travel — it’s about a more connected, competitive, and sustainable Europe. To realise this vision, Europe needs stable long-term investment, fair competition, and harmonised technical standards like ERTMS," stated CER Executive Director Alberto Mazzola.

"Europe needs a fast, high-quality rail network that connects every major city and urban centre. Cities are ready to play their part by integrating long-distance rail into local mobility systems and shaping the multimodal hubs of the future," added Eurocities Secretary General André Sobczak.

Source: CER and Eurocities Press Release