Brussels, 15/10/2001 (Agence Europe) - The effectiveness of the cross-border programme TACIS (Tacis cross-border cooperation programme, TACIS CBC, intended to finance cross border projects between the candidate countries of Central and Eastern Europe and the former USSR republics) could be considerably improved if actions were better coordinated with other existing Community instruments, such as Interreg and Phare. This is one of the main conclusions reached in a report published last week by the Court of Auditors, which also notes the delays in implementation of TACIS CBC projects and the "insufficient" budgetary volume. The Commission, in its response annexed to the Court's report, admits there is a need to strengthen coordination with the Interreg and Phare programmes. Significant measures have, moreover, already been taken along these lines, it states in a press release. Such measures mainly include the adoption of common Tacis/Interreg guidelines, strengthened inter-service consultations and the setting up of joint Phare/Tacis missions. The Commission also states it is willing to envisage extension of the geographical coverage of Phare, to also include the border zones of the Tacis beneficiary countries. (The report is now available on the Internet site: http: //http://www.eca.eu.int ).