LIFE II: financial instrument for the environment (amend. regul. 1973/92/EEC)
Pending delivery of Parliament’s opinion the Council
carried out a detailed examination of the proposal for a regulation defining
the mode of operation of the LIFE financial instrument for a second phase
(1996 to 1999) as the first phase ends on 31 December 1995. On
the basis of the experience gained since mid-1992 and in view of the
development of the financial instruments, in particular the structural
instruments, that has since occurred to the benefit of the environment, the
proposal seeks to amend Regulation (EEC) No 1973/92. The Council’s
discussion made it possible to define a favourable approach to all the
provisions included in the proposal. As regards the financial package for the
programme, the amount proposed by the Commission (ECU 450 million)
was adopted but it will have to be reviewed in 1997 in the light of the
financial prospects and on the basis of the applications made. It should be
recalled that LIFE is the only specific Community financial instrument
relating to the environment. The Community’s financial support may be
granted, through LIFE, to pilot projects or demonstration projects or take
the form of technical assistance to non-member