No L 161/4 Official Journal of the European Communities 2.7.93 COUNCIL REGULATION (EEC) No 1738/93 of 25 June 1993 for an action programme in the field of transport infrastructure with a view to the completion of an integrated transport market THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, and in particular Article 75 thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission ('), Having regard to the opinion of the European Parli- ament (%), Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee (%), Whereas the completion of an integrated transport market calls for a Community action programme aimed at the harmonious development of transport infrastructure in the Community ; Whereas a programme lasting two years is called for; Whereas an amount of ECU 325 million is estimated to be necessary to implement this programme ; Whereas the amounts to be committed for the financing of the programme will have to fall within the Community “financial framework in force ; Whereas the setting up of rapid and efficient links between all regions of the Community is an essential condition for reinforcing its economic and social cohe- sion ; Whereas it is necessary to take account of both the inte- rests of users and the demands of environmental protec- tion, safety and the rational use of energy; Whereas Community action through the Structural Funds, the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the other financial instruments can contribute to the building of transport infrastructure works of Community interest ; Whereas specific financial support for infrastructure projects can provide an essential stimulus to the promo- tion and launching of projects of Community interest ; () OJ No C 236, 15. 9. 1992, p. 3. ® O] NoC337 21.12. 1992, p. 287 and OJ No C 115, 26. 4. 0 OJ No C 19, 25. 1. 1993, p. 32. Whereas the intervention of private sector capital can contribute to the implementation of infrastructyre projects and whereas the ‘declaration of European interest’ procedure would help to channel private-sector capital towards major projets of European interest; Whereas it is necessary to ensure that the various projects are properly coordinated and their financing efficiently programmed ; Whereas it is important to define the scope of the action programme, in particular by its direct objectives and the projects to be carried out; Whereas the value to the Community of the projecté to be assisted ought to be established on the basis of objec- " tive criteria ; Whereas Community assistance is necessary to carry out the projects, especially in their launch phase ; Whereas, since the first multiannual financial support programme for infrastructure projects expired at the end of 1992 and the various Community networks remain incomplete, it is vital that a new programme be adopted ; Whereas, however, the new programme should not last . for more than two years, to avoid prejudging decisions on trans-European networks ; - Whereas, pending more comprehensive measures based on future decisions relating to trans-European networks, this Regulation should be transitional in nature ; Whereas implementation of this Regulation should' cease if the Council adopts, before the date on which it expires, a new instrument relating to the financing of trans- European transport networks, H HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION : Article 1 1. The purpose of this Regulation is to establish a Community action programme, hereinafter referred to as “action programme’, in the field of transport infrastructure applicable ‘as from 1 January 1993. The  action programme shall last two years.