Source: European Parliament
Question for written answer E-002722/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Isilda Gomes (S&D)
Portugal included in its recovery and resilience plan (RRP) two cross-border connections with Spain in sparsely populated areas. One of them is the long-awaited bridge between Alcoutim and Sanlúcar de Guadiana, some 3 kilometres long, over the Guadiana river, connecting the Algarve to Andalusia. The project, set to receive an estimated EUR 15 million in investment, seeks to infuse new life into border areas.
Although the Municipality of Alcoutim has been ready since August 2024 to launch the tender for the works, the bilateral agreement between Portugal and Spain was only signed in October 2024 and ratified by the two countries in 2025. Publication in the Official State Gazette (Spain) is imminent.
Only a fortnight after it is published will the joint technical committee be able to meet to approve the final design, a step which is essential for launching the call for tenders. The work is expected to take 18 months, missing the current RRP deadline for concluding projects of 30 June 2026.
I would therefore like to ask the Commission whether it would be possible to:
- 1.extend the deadline for completion of the project;
- 2.finance the project through RRP loans with extended terms; or
- 3.integrate the project into the current multiannual financial framework 2021–2027?
Submitted: 3.7.2025