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

In adopting the report by Mr Edward KELLETT-BOWMAN (EPP, UK) Parliament called for the financial reference amount for the implementation of the regulation for the period 2000 to 2006 to be set at EUR 5 500 million. It hoped that the funding for transport infrastructure projects would be used in such a way that at least 55% would be used for railway projects (including combined transport), a maximum of 25% for roads and a maximum of 15% for transport management and telematics. The variable amounts remaining should be used for waterways, seaports, airports and inland ports. Parliament called on the Commission to: - ensure coordination and coherence between the projects receiving contributions from the Community budget, the EIB, the European Investment Fund, the Cohesion Fund, the ERDF and other Community financial instruments; - ensure coordination with the objectives of the trans-European transport policy and the financial measures taken under the Phare programme and the Instrument for Structural Policies for Pre- accession (ISPA); - promote specifically recourse to private sources of financing for the financial resources provided for by this Regulation where the multiplier effect of Community financial instruments can be maximised in public-private partnerships. Parliament also hoped that: - the application for financial support for a specific project would give a detailed breakdown of estimates in terms of aid requested from the Community and local, regional or national government bodies as well as from private sources; - that the effects in terms of regional planning at regional, national and European level of the projects eligible for Community subsidies would be included as a criterion for the selection of the projects. For each major project partly financed with Community aid the Commission should draw up an environmental impact statement. �