The European Ombudsman, P. Nikiforos Diamandouros, has transferred a complaint to the European Commission concerning the alleged failure of the French authorities to reopen an important railway connection between Spain and France. The cross-border connection links the cities of Canfranc in the region of Aragón (Spain) and Olorón in Aquitaine (France). The complainant - a Spanish association - underlines the importance of this cross-border connection to ensure the right to the free movement of goods and citizens between Spain and France, and points to the failure of the French authorities to ensure that right.

The complaint was originally sent to the regional ombudsman of Aragón, who forwarded it to the European Ombudsman. The regional ombudsman explained that the problem appeared to result from the failure of the French authorities to make the necessary investments in the railway segment falling within their jurisdiction.

The European Ombudsman investigates complaints about maladministration by the institutions and bodies of the European Union. He cannot deal with complaints concerning national, regional or local administrations of the Member States.

According to the complainant, the railway in question was part-financed through EU funds. The European Ombudsman decided, therefore, to transfer the case to the European Commission which, as guardian of the Treaty, has power to monitor compliance with the conditions of EU funding and to ensure that any other relevant provisions of Community law are correctly applied.

 

For further information, please call Mr José Martinez Aragón, Principal Legal Adviser, tel. +33 3 88 17 24 01.