Brussels, 10/07/2012 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 10 July, the Ecofin Council confirmed the launching of a pilot phase in the EU project bonds initiative for major infrastructure projects. This is the last official stage after adoption of the regulation by the European Parliament in plenary session last week (see EUROPE 10649). The regulation will therefore be published in the EU Official Journal. The mechanism is expected to inject €230 million into infrastructure projects through the bonds, with the European Investment Bank and the Commission shouldering a part of the risks, which should then attract private investors. The leverage effect could provide fresh money for European infrastructure, estimated by the Commission as up to €4 billion. The pilot phase will extend during 2012 and into 2013. If the innovative mechanism shows its worth, then an operational phase could be triggered in 2014 until 2020. (MD/transl.jl)