Here’s the translation into American English:
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The Luso-Spanish platform Sudoeste Ibérico en Red is preparing to organize the IX Iberian Forum in Madrid next Thursday, October 16. The event aims to promote political and territorial commitments that facilitate a direct rail connection between Madrid and Lisbon, in line with the European Union’s guidelines for 2030.
The Southwest Iberian Corridor, considered essential for territorial interconnection and economic development, has been a demand for over four decades. Modernizing this route is imperative to increase competitiveness and foster social cohesion between Spain and Portugal. This corridor has been highlighted as one of the top priorities for developing high-speed rail in the country, just behind connections to Seville and Barcelona.
The Sudoeste Ibérico en Red platform, supported by over 32,000 entities and individuals, has driven a social and business movement advocating for the acceleration of this strategic project. Its goal is to establish sustainable infrastructure that not only connects the two capitals but also promotes regional development and reduces the environmental footprint of transportation.
The importance of this corridor has been emphasized by the European Union on multiple occasions, from identifying 30 Priority Projects in 2004 to the recent approval of Regulation EU 2024/1679, which includes the project within the European Core Network, with the aim of making it operational by 2030. This regulation requires both countries to carry out the necessary Implementing Acts to ensure compliance with electrification and high-speed standards, although regulatory and technical challenges remain that require urgent coordination.
Three key decisions are crucial for revitalizing the project. The European Commission has announced the imminent publication of an “EU Implementation Decision” that will define the phases and features of the high-speed connection. Secondly, the Government of Spain has been assessing the publication of the Atlantic Corridor Master Plan for almost three years, although there are still no concrete forecasts for the Madrid-Lisbon segment. Finally, the Informative Study for the high-speed segments in the province of Toledo, which began in March 2018, is expected to be completed soon.
The completion of this corridor will facilitate not only the movement of passengers and goods but also stimulate the economic and social development of the interior regions facing depopulation issues. This is crucial for improving commercial and tourist relations between both countries, generating synergies that strengthen territorial cohesion in line with the European Union’s regional development goals.
Since its inception, the platform has experienced a significant increase in social, business, and institutional support, underscoring the urgency of advancing full electrification and modernization of the corridor. The IX Iberian Forum, to be held at the Auditorio Castellana 33, will feature between 400 and 500 participants from various sectors, aiming to review the status of the project and push for the approval of the key milestones set by the European Union.
The event will include speeches from business and political leaders, as well as round tables to discuss challenges related to the financing and planning of the project. Participation is free, but prior registration is required on the official website of the platform, where more information about the event can be found. This forum represents a crucial opportunity to unite efforts in a collective movement that transforms the long history of promises into concrete commitments.
via: MiMub in Spanish
