Agenda 2000: trans-European networks, rules for granting Community financial aid

The Commission can accept the Council's common position concerning additions introduced by the Council relative to multi-annual programming and risk-capital participation. However, the Commission maintains its modified proposal, in particular with regard to the following: - increase in the maximum support level from 10% to 20% for projects with a strong trans-European interest networking advantage or environmental dimension; - the possibility of multi-annual budgetary commitments to supplement the multi-annual programming, thereby providing legal security to promoters on the total size of Community support and allowing the Commission to play a more active role in putting together financial packages for public-private partnership projects; - the reference amount of EUR 5,500 million for the period 2000-2006; - the Commission sees no need to include a limit on the amount available to risk-capital participation but considers that, if restrictions are to be imposed, an amount of at least EUR 50 million should be available. In the opinion of the Commission, it may be appropriate to introduce an upward revise clause. �