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COUNCIL DECISION
of 22 November 1984
amending Decision 79/783/EEC in respect of general measures in the field of data processing
(84/559/EEC)
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN
COMMUNITIES,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, and in particular Article 235 thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,
Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament (1),
Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee (2),
Whereas, in its resolution of 15 July 1974 on a Community policy on data processing (3), the Council considered it desirable to prepare, in the medium term, a systematic Community programme to promote research, industrial development and applications of data processing;
Considering the communication from the Commission to the European Council in Dublin on 29 November 1979, entitled 'European Society faced with the challenge of new information technologies: a Community response';
Considering the Council resolution of 25 July 1983 (4) approving the principle of framework programmes and the scientific and technical objectives for 1984 to 1987, and more especially the content of the objective 'Promoting industrial competitiveness - new technologies', and in particular the importance attached to information technology;
Whereas the programme in Council Decision 79/783/EEC of 11 September 1979 adopting a multiannual programme (1979 to 1983) in the field of data processing (5), as amended by Decision 84/254/EEC (6) came to an end on 11 September 1983;
Whereas continuation of the programme appears necessary in order to achieve certain Community aims in the operation of the common market, and in particular the aim of establishing an overall strategy for information technology; whereas it therefore seems necessary to extend the programme for an additional two years and to modify its content as far as the 'General Measures' are concerned;
Whereas the Commission is responsible for carrying out the programme and is assisted in this task by the Advisory Committee for the Management and Coordinatin of Data-Processing Programs set up by Decision 79/784/EEC (7),
Whereas it has become necessary to ensure concerted action between the Community's research and development activities and the corresponding programmes in third countries participating in European cooperation in the field of scientific and technical research (COST);
HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:
Article 1
Decision 79/783/EEC is hereby amended as follows:
1. Articles 1 to 5 are hereby replaced by the following:
'Article 1
A multiannual programme is hereby adopted in the field of data processing. Its objects are as follows:
- general measures: standardization, public procurement, knowledge of the sector, training, protection for data and persons, cooperation in research and development,
- promotion measures: measures covering software, applications and aspects to be agreed on by the Council in the light of the studies carried out within the framework of the general measures and pursuant to the Council resolution of 11 September 1979 on a Community action promoting micro-electronic technology (1).
The programme is defined in the Annex. This programme shall be extended for a period of two years as from 22 November 1984 in the case of the general measures. In the case of the promotion measures it is extended for two years as from 15 April 1984.
Article 2
The amounts estimated as necessary for the implementation of the programme, should be 21 million ECU in the case of the general measures and 30 million ECU in the case of the promotion measures, and shall be entered in the budget of the European Communities.
Article 3
The Commission shall be responsible for implementing the programme, particularly as regards coordinating national programmes and measures and granting Community financial support for certain measures of joint European interest. It shall be assisted by the Advisory Committee for the Management and Coordination of Data-Processing Programs.
The Commission shall examine regularly with the Committee the progress of any matters falling within the scope of this Decision.
The Commission shall inform the Committee regularly in advance of projects and major studies not falling under the second part of the Programme. The Commission shall inform the Committee of the results of all projects and studies. The Commission shall ensure adequate dissemination of and access to these results.
The projects and studies shall as a rule be submitted in reply to an open invitation.
Article 4
The Commission shall submit an annual report to the Council.
Article 5
1. In accordance with Article 228 of the (EEC) Treaty, the Community may conclude Agreements with non-Member States participating in European cooperation in the field of scientific and technical research (COST) with a view to ensuring concerted action between the Community activities relating to the collaboration in research and development referred to in point 1.4 (d) of the Annex and the relevant programmes of such States.
2. The Commission is hereby authorized to negotiate the Agreement referred to in paragraph 1 in accordance with the conclusions approved by the Council on 18 July 1978.
(1) OJ No L 231, 13. 9. 1979, p. 29.'
2. The 'General Measures' part of the Annex shall be replaced by the Annex to this Decision.
Article 2
This Decision shall take effect from 22 November 1984.
Done at Brussels, 22 November 1984.