L 86/14 Official Journal of the European Union 21.3.2014 REGULATION (EU) No 283/2014 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 11 March 2014 on guidelines for trans-European networks in the area of telecommunications infrastructure and repealing Decision No 1336/97/EC (Text with EEA relevance) THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 172 thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission, After transmission of the draft legislative act to the national parliaments, Having regard to the opinions of the European Economic and Social Committee ('), Having regard to the opinions of the Committee of the Regions (%), Acting in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure (%), Whereas: (1)  Telecommunications networks and services are increasingly becoming internet-based infrastructures, with broadband networks and digital services closely interrelated. The internet is becoming the dominant platform for communication, services, education, partici- pation in social and political life, cultural content, and business. Therefore, the trans-European availability of widespread, high-speed, secure internet access and digital services in the public interest is essential for social and economic growth, competitiveness, social inclusion and the internal market. (2)  On 17 June 2010, the European Council endorsed the Commission communication of 26 August 2010 on a Digital Agenda for Europe, which aims to chart a course to maximise the social and economic potential of () Opinion of 22 February 2012 (O] C 143, 22.5.2012, p. 120) and Opinion of 16 October 2013 (not yet published in the Official Journal). () OJ C 225, 27.7.2012, p. 211 and OJ C 356, 5.12.2013, p. 116. (®) Position of the European Parliament of 26 February 2014 (not yet published in the Official Journal) and decision of the Council of 11 March 2014. information and communication technologies. It seeks to stimulate supply and demand of competitive high-speed internet infrastructure and internet-based digital services with a view to advancing towards a true Digital Single Market, which is essential for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth. (3)  Regulation (EU) No 1316/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council () determines the conditions, methods and procedures for providing Union financial assistance to trans-European networks in the sectors of transport, telecommunications and energy infrastructures. Given that there are similar chal- lenges and opportunities in the sectors covered by the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF), there is significant scope for exploiting synergies, including by combining CEF funding with other sources of funding. (4) A large number of cross-border digital services imple- menting exchanges between European public adminis- trations in support of Union policies are a reality. When providing new solutions, it is important to capi- talise on existing solutions implemented in the context of other European initiatives, avoid duplication of work, and ensure coordination and alignment of approaches and solutions across initiatives and policies, such as for instance the ISA programme established by Decision No 922/2009/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (°), the Fiscalis programme established by Regulation (EU) No 1286/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council (§), and Horizon 2020 established by Regulation (EU) No 1291/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council (7). Similarly, it is important that solutions comply with agreed inter- national andfor European standards or with open spec- ifications for interoperability, particularly those identified (*) Regulation (EU) No 1316/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2013 establishing the Connecting Europe Facility, amending Regulation (EU) No 913/2010 and repealing Regulations (EC) No 680/2007 and (EC) No 67/2010 (O] L 348, 20.12.2013, p. 129). Decision No 922/2009/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 September 2009 on interoperability solutions for European public administrations (ISA) (OJ L 260, 3.10.2009, p. 20), Regulation (EU) No 1286/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2013 establishing an action programme to improve the operation of taxation systems in the European Union for the period 2014-2020 (Fiscalis 2020) and repealing Decision No 1482/2007/EC (O] L 347, 20.12.2013, p. 25). Regulation (EU) No 1291/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2013 establishing Horizon 2020 - the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (2014-2020) and repealing Decision No 1982/2006/EC (O] L 347, 20.12.2013, p. 104). — 5 —_ = —_ ]