The Committee on Transport and Tourism adopted the draft recommendation for a second reading in the report by Mr Joaquin Siso Cruellas. The rapporteur welcomed the fact that many of the amendments adopted by the European Parliament at first reading had been included in the common position, especially those relating to:
- the eligibility of projects funded by local or regional authorities or by companies running public services (agencies) or services of public interest;
- taking account of the environmental impact and strengthening provisions relating to coordination, management and financial control.
In this respect, the amendments suggested in the report refer mainly to the new provisions introduced by the Council which did not figure in the initial proposal, viz.:
- the possibility of a financial contribution from the Community in excess of the 10% ceiling for small-scale projects;
- the creation of an advisory committee to assist the Commission;
- the deletion of the article on the budgetary resources needed for 1995-1999;
- the deletion of the clause revising the operations provided for in the regulation.
The other proposed amendments seek to restore a number of aspects already accepted by the Commission in its amended proposal, viz.:
- developing the partnership between the public and private sectors;
- the financial, as well as the economic and social return on projects, including their impact on employment;
- the compatibility of projects with Community policies (transport, energy, telecommunications, environment, competition, public procurement);
- the presentation of applications for aid;
- the information needed in order to assess and identify applications;
- the deadlines for granting financial aid by the Commission;
- the financial arrangements (commitments and payments in ecus).�