On 19th January 2023, the transport ministries of Spain and France agreed on the commitment of both countries to expanding cross-border corridors. In principle, the Atlantic and Mediterranean corridors are to be expanded by 2030 and more liberalisation for the transport markets is to be sought. France committed to completing the two European rail corridors by 2030, after starting work on the Mediterranean corridor in 2023 and on the Atlantic corridor in 2024. The expansion of the corridors is necessary for increasing the share of rail transport in the modal split in order to achieve the common goal of decarbonising mobility. A prerequisite is infrastructure that avoids bottlenecks at the borders. France has assured priority for the Montpellier – Perpignan section of the Mediterranean corridor as well as for the Bordeaux – Toulouse and Bordeaux – Spanish border sections.
