Amendments proposed by Csaba Borboly included in the European report on addressing transport poverty
Brussels, 7 October 2025 – The Committee on Territorial Cohesion Policy and EU Budget (COTER) of the European Committee of the Regions adopted on Tuesday the report titled “Addressing Transport Poverty – Reinforcing Cohesion and Boosting EU Competitiveness”, which aims to tackle transport poverty in the European Union.
The report was drafted by Patrik Schwarcz-Kiefer (EPP/Hungary), and during the debates and vote, Csaba Borboly, Vice-President of the Harghita County Council and member of the Committee of the Regions, submitted several amendments, a significant portion of which were adopted.
“Nearly one quarter of the amendments I submitted were prepared by me, and several received support today. My goal was to ensure that the voice of mountain and peripheral regions is heard in the European decision-making process – because where there is no transport, there are no real opportunities for development,” said Csaba Borboly.
The adopted amendments strengthen the role of rural, border, and mountain regions in European policies:
· They promote stronger involvement of member states in restoring local railway lines,
· They provide that funds from the Social Climate Fund also support daily mobility for young people and accessibility in rural areas,
· And they require local and regional authorities to be mandatorily involved in drafting national climate and transport plans.
During the vote, a video was recorded capturing the moment one of the amendments proposed by Csaba Borboly was adopted.
Although political positions differed, several of his proposals received cross-party support.
Today’s decision sets the framework for the use of the Social Climate Fund, which will become operational in 2026, as well as for the new 2028–2034 cohesion funds, which can directly influence investments in transport infrastructure in Harghita County.
“The unity of Europe begins with connectivity. The fact that the residents of Harghita – young people, families – can reach school, work, or medical services is not just a local issue; it is the essence of European cohesion,” added the Vice-President of the Harghita County Council.
The report will be definitively adopted at the plenary session of the Committee of the Regions in December and will then be forwarded to the European Commission and member states as a reference document for future policies.
