No L 42/18 Official Journal of the European Communities 15. 2. %4 (Acts whose publication is not obligatory) COMMISSION COMMISSION DECISION of 2 February 1994 on Community financial assistance to improve the system of veterinary controls at the Community’s external frontier in Germany (Only the German text is authentic) (94/83/EC) THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, Having regard to Council Decision 90/424/EEC of 26 June 1990 on expenditure in the veterinary field ('), as last amended by Commission Decision 93/439/EEC (3), and in particular Article 38 thereof, Whereas the German authorities have submitted to the Commission a national programme designed to improve external frontier controls on live animals and products of animal origin; whereas this programme comprises in particular the construction and renovation of the neces- sary infrastructure, the purchase of equipment for control purposes and the recruitment of additional staff, and is accompanied by all the appropriate financial information ; Whereas stepping up veterinary inspection of external frontiers is one of the Community’s priorities as a result of the completion of the internal market; Whereas, however, Community financial participation must not exceed the appropriations available for the purpose ; whereas, therefore, it is important to identify priorities so as to ensure, in particular, more efficient Community financing ; Whereas past experience has shown that special attention should be given to improving controls carried out at Community frontier inspection posts on its eastern borders ; o L 224, 18. 8. 1990, p. 19. o L 203, 13. 8. 1993, p. 34. A zZ Whereas the measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Veterinary Committee, HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION : Article 1 The programme to improve the system of veterinary controls at the Community’s external frontier in Germany set out in the Annex hereto is approved. Article 2 1.  The Community’s financial participation is set at 15 % of the total cost of the programme, with a ceiling of ECU 700 000. 2. The Community’s financial participation is granted on the following terms: — 50 % at the start of the programme, which shall commence by 31 January 1994 at the latest, — the balance at the end of the programme, which shall be not later than 30 June 1995. Article 3 1.  Payments shall be made in ecus. 2. The payment referred to in the first indent of Article 2 (2) shall be made on presentation to the Commission of an application for an advance. 3. The payment referrred to in the second indent of Article 2 (2) shall be made on submission of supporting documents.