Brussels, 06/12/2006 (Agence Europe) - The Permanent Representatives Committee of the EU (Coreper) is expected to give a decision on Thursday 7 December on the final compromise of the Finnish presidency on the regulation to organise the financial participation for the Trans-European Transport and Energy Networks. This compromise was approved by the budgets committee of the pa on 30 November after a lively debate. It includes variable rates of Community co-funding. For studies, the rate will be 50% of all common interest projects. For works, it varies between 10% and 30% according to the project. Only the European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS) will benefit from a rate that goes up to 50% of funding for studies and work that contribute to its deployment. The compromise lists the kind of projects that will be accorded “special attention” when decisions of co-financing are involved, as for priority projects but also for projects facilitating development of traffic management in all sectors (roads, rail, maritime, air) and projects contributing to a modal reconfiguration in favour of more ecological modes of transport such as inland waterways. The compromise also stipulates that the European Commission can reclaim payment for the Community financial participation if, four years after its being granted, implementation of the part of the project that has received funding has not been completed. The document is accompanied by a letter from the Commissioner for transport, Jacques Barrot, ensuring that parliament is kept informed about the different project selection phases. (dt)