Article 1 
This Decision identifies the action to be taken with a view to creating a more favourable context for the realization of projects of common interest in connection with trans-European energy networks and for the interoperability of such networks on a Community-wide scale. Article 2 1. In order to contribute to creating a more favourable context for the development of trans-European energy networks, the Community attaches the greatest importance to the following measures and shall promote them as necessary: - the realization of technical cooperation projects between the entities responsible for the trans-European energy networks involved in the proper functioning of the European interconnections referred to in Article 2 of Decision No 1254/96/EC, - cooperation between Member States through mutual consultations with a view to facilitating implementation of the authorization procedures for projects on trans-European energy networks in order to reduce delays. 2. The Commission shall, in close collaboration with the Member States concerned, take all relevant initiatives for promoting the coordination of the activities referred to in paragraph 1. Article 3 In order to contribute to creating a more favourable financial context for the development of trans-European energy networks, the Community: 1. may provide financial support as part of the action on trans-European energy networks. These measures shall be adopted by the Commission in accordance with the Council Regulation laying down general rules for the granting of Community financial aid in the field of trans-European networks; 2. shall take account of the projects of common interest identified in Decision No 1254/96/EC in providing assistance from its Funds, instruments and financial programmes applicable to those networks, within the terms of their own rules and purposes. Article 4 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 1254/96/EC, in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 9 (2) and (3) of that Decision. Article 5 Every two years the Commission shall draw up a report on the implementation of this Decision, which it shall submit to the European Parliament, the Council, the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions. Article 6 This Decision is addressed to the Member States. Done at Brussels, 28 March 1996. For the Council The President A. CLO (1) OJ No C 72, 10. 3. 1994, p. 15. (2) OJ No C 195, 18. 7. 1994, p. 33. (3) OJ No C 217, 6. 8. 1994, p. 26. (4) Opinion of the European Parliament of 18 May 1995 (OJ No C 151, 19. 6. 1995, p. 232), common position of the Council of 29 June 1995 (OJ No C 216, 21. 8. 1995, p. 38) and Decision of the European Parliament of 26 October 1995 (not yet published in the Official Journal). (5) See page 147 of this Official Journal.
Article 2 
1. In order to contribute to creating a more favourable context for the development of trans-European energy networks, the Community attaches the greatest importance to the following measures and shall promote them as necessary: - the realization of technical cooperation projects between the entities responsible for the trans-European energy networks involved in the proper functioning of the European interconnections referred to in Article 2 of Decision No 1254/96/EC, - cooperation between Member States through mutual consultations with a view to facilitating implementation of the authorization procedures for projects on trans-European energy networks in order to reduce delays. 2. The Commission shall, in close collaboration with the Member States concerned, take all relevant initiatives for promoting the coordination of the activities referred to in paragraph 1. Article 3 In order to contribute to creating a more favourable financial context for the development of trans-European energy networks, the Community: 1. may provide financial support as part of the action on trans-European energy networks. These measures shall be adopted by the Commission in accordance with the Council Regulation laying down general rules for the granting of Community financial aid in the field of trans-European networks; 2. shall take account of the projects of common interest identified in Decision No 1254/96/EC in providing assistance from its Funds, instruments and financial programmes applicable to those networks, within the terms of their own rules and purposes. Article 4 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 1254/96/EC, in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 9 (2) and (3) of that Decision. Article 5 Every two years the Commission shall draw up a report on the implementation of this Decision, which it shall submit to the European Parliament, the Council, the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions. Article 6 This Decision is addressed to the Member States. Done at Brussels, 28 March 1996. For the Council The President A. CLO (1) OJ No C 72, 10. 3. 1994, p. 15. (2) OJ No C 195, 18. 7. 1994, p. 33. (3) OJ No C 217, 6. 8. 1994, p. 26. (4) Opinion of the European Parliament of 18 May 1995 (OJ No C 151, 19. 6. 1995, p. 232), common position of the Council of 29 June 1995 (OJ No C 216, 21. 8. 1995, p. 38) and Decision of the European Parliament of 26 October 1995 (not yet published in the Official Journal). (5) See page 147 of this Official Journal.
Article 3 
In order to contribute to creating a more favourable financial context for the development of trans-European energy networks, the Community: 1. may provide financial support as part of the action on trans-European energy networks. These measures shall be adopted by the Commission in accordance with the Council Regulation laying down general rules for the granting of Community financial aid in the field of trans-European networks; 2. shall take account of the projects of common interest identified in Decision No 1254/96/EC in providing assistance from its Funds, instruments and financial programmes applicable to those networks, within the terms of their own rules and purposes. Article 4 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 1254/96/EC, in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 9 (2) and (3) of that Decision. Article 5 Every two years the Commission shall draw up a report on the implementation of this Decision, which it shall submit to the European Parliament, the Council, the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions. Article 6 This Decision is addressed to the Member States. Done at Brussels, 28 March 1996. For the Council The President A. CLO (1) OJ No C 72, 10. 3. 1994, p. 15. (2) OJ No C 195, 18. 7. 1994, p. 33. (3) OJ No C 217, 6. 8. 1994, p. 26. (4) Opinion of the European Parliament of 18 May 1995 (OJ No C 151, 19. 6. 1995, p. 232), common position of the Council of 29 June 1995 (OJ No C 216, 21. 8. 1995, p. 38) and Decision of the European Parliament of 26 October 1995 (not yet published in the Official Journal). (5) See page 147 of this Official Journal.
Article 4 
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 1254/96/EC, in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 9 (2) and (3) of that Decision. Article 5 Every two years the Commission shall draw up a report on the implementation of this Decision, which it shall submit to the European Parliament, the Council, the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions. Article 6 This Decision is addressed to the Member States. Done at Brussels, 28 March 1996. For the Council The President A. CLO (1) OJ No C 72, 10. 3. 1994, p. 15. (2) OJ No C 195, 18. 7. 1994, p. 33. (3) OJ No C 217, 6. 8. 1994, p. 26. (4) Opinion of the European Parliament of 18 May 1995 (OJ No C 151, 19. 6. 1995, p. 232), common position of the Council of 29 June 1995 (OJ No C 216, 21. 8. 1995, p. 38) and Decision of the European Parliament of 26 October 1995 (not yet published in the Official Journal). (5) See page 147 of this Official Journal.
Article 5 
Every two years the Commission shall draw up a report on the implementation of this Decision, which it shall submit to the European Parliament, the Council, the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions. Article 6 This Decision is addressed to the Member States. Done at Brussels, 28 March 1996. For the Council The President A. CLO (1) OJ No C 72, 10. 3. 1994, p. 15. (2) OJ No C 195, 18. 7. 1994, p. 33. (3) OJ No C 217, 6. 8. 1994, p. 26. (4) Opinion of the European Parliament of 18 May 1995 (OJ No C 151, 19. 6. 1995, p. 232), common position of the Council of 29 June 1995 (OJ No C 216, 21. 8. 1995, p. 38) and Decision of the European Parliament of 26 October 1995 (not yet published in the Official Journal). (5) See page 147 of this Official Journal.
Article 6 
This Decision is addressed to the Member States. Done at Brussels, 28 March 1996