Commission Regulation (EC) No 1628/94 of 4 July 1994 concerning the implementation of a programme for cross- border cooperation between countries in central and eastern Europe and Member States of the Community in the framework of the Phare programme

COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 1628/94 of 4 July 1994 concerning the implementation of a programme for cross-border cooperation between countries in central and eastern Europe and Member States of the Community in the framework of the Phare  programme
THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,
Having regard to Council Regulation (EEC) No 3906/89 of 18 December 1989 on economic aid to certain countries of central and eastern Europe (1), as last amended by Council Regulation (EEC) No 1764/93 (2), and in particular Article 8 thereof,
Whereas the Council has repeatedly stressed the need to reinforce cooperation and stimulate integration of the countries of central and eastern Europe and the European Community;
Whereas the European Council, meeting in Copenhagen in June 1993, agreed that the associated countries of central and eastern Europe that so desire, shall become members of the European Union as soon as they are able to assume the obligations of  membership by satisfying the economic and political conditions required;
Whereas the closer cooperation between border regions can contribute to the transformation process in countries of central and eastern Europe and stimulate economic activities in peripheral regions, contributing to the general economic development of  the countries concerned;
Whereas such cooperation can also contribute to the integration process started under the Europe Agreements and to the implementation of new possibilities of cooperation provided under the trade and cooperation agreements;
Whereas the cross-border cooperation between the Community and countries of central and eastern Europe can also contribute to the establishment and development of trans-European networks in the areas of transport, telecommunications and energy  infrastructure;
Whereas it is important that these local cross-border actions are fully integrated in the national development policy in the respective countries;
Whereas Council Regulation (EEC) No 4253/88 (3), as modified by Council Regulation (EEC) No 2082/93 (4), and Article 3 (2) of Council Regulation (EEC) No 4254/88 (5), as modified by Council Regulation (EEC) No 2083/93 (6), defines the procedures for the  approval of Community initiatives, (in particular Interreg) financed by the Structural Funds within the European Community;
Whereas Regulation (EEC) No 3906/89 lays down rules and conditions for the granting of economic aid to certain countries of central and eastern Europe and this framework can be used to accommodate the implementation of a cross border cooperation  programme;
Whereas the initiatives formulated by the respective local authorities and other economic agents of the regions on either side of the border between the Community and countries of central and eastern Europe have to be taken into account and special  efforts should be made to stimulate the identification and formulation of joint programmes;
Whereas the present Regulation is in accordance with the opinion of the Committee for Economic Restructuring in certain countries of central and eastern Europe,