•k *r COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 
Brussels, 28 11 1995 
COM(95) 594 final 
94/0010 (SYN) 
Re-examined proposal for a 
COUNCIL DECISION 
laying down a series of measures aimed at creating a more 
favourable context for the development of 
trans-European networks in the energy sector. 
(presented by the Commission pursuant to Article 189 c (d) 
of the EC Treaty) 

OPINION OF THE COMMISSION 
on the amendments proposed by the European Parliament 
to the Council's common position 
I 
BACKGROUND 
8 February 1994: 
27 April 1994: 
17 May 1994: 
18 May 1995: 
29 May 1995: 
29 June 1995: 
26 October 1995: Transmission of the initial proposal COM (93) 685 to the 
European Parliament and the Council 
Opinion of the Economic and Social Committee. 
Opinion of the Committee of the Regions 
European Parliament's opinion on first reading. 
Transmission of-the amended proposal COM (95) 226 
Adoption by the Council of its common position. 
European Parliament's opinion on second reading. 
2 PURPOSE OF THE COMMISSION'S PROPOSAL 
The proposal aims to establish a more favourable financial, technical and administrative 
context for the implementation of projects of common interest in the field of trans-
European energy networks, as provided for by the second and third indents of Article 
I29c(l) of the Treaty. 
3 COMMENTS ON PARLIAMENT'S SECOND READING 
Parliament adopted three amendments to the Council's common position on its second 
reading. It had also adopted the same amendments, in whole or in part, on first reading. 
% 3 
The Commission's position on these amendments is as follows: 
• Amendment No I : rejected. 
This amendment specifies the forms which the financial support from the 
resources provided for the trans-European energy networks could take. Although 
it follows the wording of the original proposal, the Commission feels that it is 
unnecessary since it duplicates the recently adopted Council Regulation on 
financial aid in the field of trans-European networks (Regulation (EC) No 2236/95 
of 18 September 1995). 
• Amendment No 2: rejected. 
This amendment advocates that the aid from the other Community funds should 
give particular priority to networks promoting cohesion. This would be 
tantamount to amending the rules and selection criteria for these other funds. This 
is not the objective of this proposal. 
• Amendment No 3: rejected. The objectives are: 
(a) Introduction of a type I committee. 
Out of concern for simplification, the Commission prefers a type lia 
committee here, i.e. the same committee as provided for in the guidelines 
Decision. 
(b) Inclusion in the committee procedure clauses of consultation of Parliament 
on the measures submitted to the committee. 
Parliament's legitimate concern to be kept informed of the measures 
submitted to the committee is met already, without amending the 
committee procedure clauses, by virtue of the 1988 Delors-Plumb 
commitment which applies to the case in point, which is covered by the 
cooperation procedure. 
4. CONCLUSIONS 
Phe Commission is unable to accept any of the three amendments adopted by Parliament 
on second reading. 
M 
Re-examined proposal for a 
COUNCIL DECISION 
laying down a series of measures aimed at creating a more 
favourable context for the development of 
trans-European networks in the energy sector. 
(presented by the Commission pursuant to Article 189 c (d) 
of the EC Treaty) 
T 
To bring the proposal into line with Regulation (EC) No 2236/95, as adopted by the 
Council on 18 September 1995, the Commission makes the following amendment to its 
proposal : 
• The fifth recital in the proposal, as amended after the first reading, is replaced by 
"Whereas, in order to speed up the realization of projects of common interest 
identified by Decision No .../95/EC, it is necessary to provide the Community 
with the possibility of supporting the financial efforts made in favour of such 
projects in accordance with the Council Regulation laying down general rules for 
the granting of Community financial aid in the field of trans-European networks.1" 
(N.B. This is the same wording as in the common position.) 
Regulation (EC) No 2236/95 of 18 September 1995. 
ISSN 0254-1475 
COM(95) 594 final 
DOCUMENTS 
EN 12 
Catalogue number : CB-C0-95-637-EN-C 
ISBN 92-77-96709-9 
Office for Official Publications of the European Communities 
L-2985 Luxembouig 
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