A4-0219/95

Decision on the common position established by the Council with a view to the adoption of a Council Decision (EC) on a series of measures aimed at creating a more favourable context for the development of trans-European networks in the energy sector (C4-0279/95 - 94/0010(SYN))

(Cooperation procedure: second reading)

The European Parliament,

- having regard to the common position of the Council C4-0279/95 - 94/0010(SYN),

- having regard to its opinion at first reading ((OJ C 151, 19.6.1995, p. 232. )) on the Commission proposal to the Council COM(93)0685 ((OJ C 72, 10.3.1994, p. 15.)),

- having been consulted by the Council pursuant to Article 189c of the EC Treaty,

- having regard to Rule 67 of its Rules of Procedure,

- having regard to the recommendation for second reading of the Committee on Research, Technological Development and Energy (A4-0219/95),

1. Amends the common position as follows;

2. Instructs its President to forward this decision to the Council and Commission.

(Amendment 1)

Recital 5

>Original text>

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;

>Text following EP vote>

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, from the financial resources allocated specifically to trans-European networks, the financial efforts made by the Member States in favour of such projects, particularly in the form of aid for economic, social and technical feasibility studies and, where appropriate, loan guarantees or interest-rate subsidies;

(Amendment 2)

Article 3(2)

>Original text>

2) shall take account of the projects of common interest identified in Decision No. /95/EC in providing assistance from its Funds, instruments and financial programmes applicable to those networks, within the terms of their own rules and purposes.

>Text following EP vote>

2) shall take account of the projects of common interest identified in Decision No. /95/EC in providing assistance from its funds, instruments and financial programmes applicable to those networks, within the terms of their own rules and purposes. Priority shall be given to trans-European energy networks which promote, in particular, development of economic and social cohesion within the general criterion of viability, taking into account economic, social and technical factors.

(Amendment 3)

Article 4

>Original text>

In implementing the measures referred to in Article 2, the Commission shall be assisted by the Committee established by Article 9(1) of Decision No /95/EC, in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 9(2) and (3) of that Decision.

>Text following EP vote>

In implementing the measures referred to in Article 2, the Commission shall be assisted by an Advisory Committee composed of representatives of the Member States and chaired by the representative of the Commission.

The representative of the Commission shall submit to the committee and to the European Parliament a draft of the measures to be taken. The committee shall deliver its opinion on the draft within a time limit which the Chairman may lay down according to the urgency of the matter, if necessary by taking a vote.

>Text following EP vote>

The opinion shall be recorded in the minutes; in addition, each Member State shall have the right to ask to have its position recorded in the minutes. The minutes shall be forwarded to the European Parliament.

>Text following EP vote>

The Commission shall take the utmost account of the opinion delivered by the committee and any observations of the European Parliament. It shall inform the committee and the European Parliament of the manner in which their opinions have been taken into account.