No L 161/154 Official Journal of the European Communities 29. 6. 96 (Acts whose publication is not obligatory) COUNCIL COUNCIL DECISION of 28 March 1996 laying down a series of measures aimed at creating a more favourable context for the development of trans-European networks in the energy sector (96/391/EC) THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular the third subparagraph of Article 129d thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission ('), Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee (%), Having regard to the opinion of the Committee of the Regions (), Acting in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 189¢c of the Treaty (%), Whereas the creation of a more favourable context for the development of trans-European energy networks is part of the broad lines of measures within the meaning of Article 129¢ of the Treaty and is provided for in Decision No 1254/96/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 June 1996 laying down a series of guidelines on trans-European energy networks (%); Whereas, in order to complete the internal market in energy, measures must be incorporated in an overall () OJ No C 72, 10. 3. 1994, p. 15. () OJ No C 195, 18. 7. 1994, p. 33. () O] No C 217, 6. 8. 1994, p. 26. () Opinion of the European Parliament of 18 May 1995 (O] No C 151, 19. 6. 1995, p. 232), common position of the Council of 29 June 1995 (O] No C 216, 21. 8. 1995, p. 38) and Deci- sion of the European Parliament of 26 October 1995 (not yet published in the Official Journal). () See page 147 of this Official Journal. energy strategy which not only specifies the main criteria and objectives of the Community in this field but also defines more particularly the conditions for liberalizing the market in energy products; Whereas the establishment and development of trans- European networks in the energy sector must help to reduce energy supply costs and thus contribute to a higher rate of economic growth and more employment and enhance the competitiveness of the European economy; Whereas the creation of that more favourable context must be aimed mainly at providing a stimulus for tech- nical cooperation between the entities responsible for networks and at facilitating the implementation of au- thorization procedures applied for network projects in the Member States in order to reduce delays; Whereas, in order to speed up the realization of projects of common interest identified by Decision No 1254/ 96/EC, it is necessary to provide the Community with the possibility of supporting the financial efforts made in favour of such projects in accordance with the Council Regulation laying down general rules for the granting of Community financial aid in the field of trans-European networks; Whereas the other financial instruments at the disposal of the Community, such as the Structural Funds, the Euro- pean Investment Fund, support from the European Investment Bank and programmes in favour of third countries, could make a contribution, in some cases deci- sive, to the realization of projects of common interest identified by Decision No 1254/96/EC,