Article 9 
(3) of that Regulation No 792/93; Whereas all the other conditions laid down, have been complied with, HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: Article 1 1. The project stage 'Upgrading of the Patras-Athens-Thessaloniki-Evzoni national road, Rakhes-Pelasgia section, to motorway' situated in Greece as described in Annex I hereto is hereby approved for the period 1 January 1993 to 31 March 1994. 2. References to 'project' in the present Decision and Annexes shall be understood to mean also 'stage of project'. Article 2 1. The maximum eligible expenditure to be taken as the basis for this Decision shall be ECU 10 521 000. 2. The rate of Community assistance granted to the project shall be fixed at 85 %. 3. The maximum amount of the contribution from the cohesion financial instrument shall be fixed at ECU 8 942 850. 4. The contribution is committed from the 1993 budget. Article 3 1. Community assistance shall be based on the financial plan for the project set out in Annex II. 2. Commitments and payments of Community assistance granted to the project shall be made in accordance with Article 9 of Regulation (EEC) No 792/93 and as specified in Annex III. 3. The amount of the first advance payment shall be fixed at ECU 4 610 666. Article 4 1. Community assistance shall cover expenditure on the project for which legally binding arrangements have been made in Greece and for which the requisite finance has been specifically allocated to works to be completed not later than 31 March 1994. 2. Expenditure incurred before 1 January 1993 shall not be eligible for assistance. 3. The closing date for the completion of national payments on the project is fixed not later than 12 months after the date mentioned in subparagraph 1. Article 5 1. The project shall be carried out in accordance with Community policies, and in particular with Articles 7, 30, 52 and 59 of the Treaty, as well as with Community law, in particular with the Directives coordinating public procurement procedures. 2. This Decision shall not prejudice the right of the Commission to commence infringement proceedings pursuant to Article 169 of the Treaty. Article 6 Systematic monitoring and assessment of the project take place in accordance with the provisions set out in Annex IV hereto. Article 7 The Member State concerned shall ensure adequate publicity for the project as specified in Annex V. Article 8 Each Annex to this Decision shall form an integral part of it. Article 9 Failure to comply with the provisions of this Decision or its Annexes may entail a reduction or suspension of assistance in accordance with the provisions set out in Annex VI. Article 10 This Decision is addressed to the Hellenic Republic. Done at Brussels, 16 December 1993. For the Commission Peter SCHMIDHUBER Member of the Commission (1) OJ No L 79, 1. 4. 1993, p. 74.(2) OJ No L 374, 31. 12. 1988, p. 1.(3) OJ No L 193, 31. 7. 1993, p. 20.(4) OJ No L 356, 31. 12. 1977, p. 1.(5) OJ No L 70, 16. 3. 1990, p. 1.