The Government of Aragón has intensified its political pressure to reactivate the Zaragoza-Canfranc-Pau railway line, a key project for sustainable mobility and territorial cohesion in the cross-border Pyrenean region. The region is calling for greater involvement from France and a strengthened dialogue from the Spanish Government, at a time when the European Union has renewed its support for this strategic initiative.
Boosting the European project and the COPROG program
The reopening of the Zaragoza-Canfranc-Pau line is part of the European project «Overcoming Lost Connections Between France and Spain: Cross-Border Railway Section,» which is included in the COPROG program. This joint effort between Aragón and the Nouvelle-Aquitaine Region aims to restore a railway connection that has been interrupted since 1970, moving towards more sustainable mobility in the central Pyrenees.
The objective is to fully recover the international railway connection, improving territorial cohesion and offering new opportunities for sustainable freight transport and passenger mobility.
Development of the technical meeting and institutional participation
During a technical meeting organized by the Nouvelle-Aquitaine Region, the Government of Aragón, through the Trans-Pyrenean Foundation, participated in working sessions and a technical visit along the Zaragoza-Canfranc-Pau line. The managing director of the Foundation, Cristina García, represented Aragón, while representatives from the French side included the Nouvelle-Aquitaine Region and SNCF Réseau.
The visit included a journey on the TER55 between Pau and Bedous, as well as a foot inspection of the critical points between Bedous and Canfranc, allowing for an assessment of the current state of the works and their impact on the reopening timelines.
Appeals to the French Government and support from the European Union
The Aragonese government has expressed frustration over the lack of representation from the French Ministry of Ecological Transition and Territorial Cohesion during the visit, emphasizing the need for a stronger commitment from Paris. Aragón believes that French involvement is essential for the realization of vital infrastructure for economic development and sustainable mobility on both sides of the Pyrenees.
In response, the Spanish Government has been urged to intensify dialogue with the French authorities to ensure progress on the pending works. The support from the European Union, which has included this connection among its investment priorities for 2028-2034, strengthens the strategic importance of the project and offers a key opportunity for its realization.
