No C 6/10 Official Journal of the European Communities 7. 1. 89 
ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE 
PROPOSALS FOR A COMMUNITY ACTION PROGRAMME 1989 to 1992 
RESOLUTION 
submitted by Mr Francois Ceyrac, rapporteur, adopted by the Economic and Social Committee 
by 120 votes to 23, with 9 abstentions at its 260th plenary session held in Brussels, on 23 and 24 
November 1988 
(meeting of 23 November) 
(89/C 6/07) 
Introduction 
1.1. Following a lengthy period of stagnation, and 
particularly since 1985, significant progress has been 
made in the building of the European Community. To 
mention only the main developments, the White Paper 
on the completion of the internal market by 1992 has 
made it possible to draw up a coherent programme for 
the abolition of frontiers between the Member States, 
and the Single Act has improved the Community 
decision-making process with this end in view. The 
Community has made a significant contribution to the 
reduction of inflation and, thanks to its monetary 
system, still imperfect though this may be, to the 
narrowing of the fluctuations in the exchange rates of 
the national currencies. The problems connected with the 
Community's finances have been overcome and the 
resources of the structural funds have been doubled. 
Finally, some success has clearly been achieved in 
bringing agricultural surpluses under control. 
1.2. Nevertheless, this favourable record must not be 
allowed to obscure the delays, shortcomings and failures 
of Community action. Thus, growth has been insufficient 
to cure — even partially — the problem of chronic 
unemployment at an intolerably high level that is 
adversely affecting the lives of tens of millions of 
European citizens and weighing heavily on the future of 
young people. The overall effect of technological 
progress has so far been a reduction in the number of 
jobs. The gap between the most- and the least-favoured 
regions of Europe is still growing, and the number of 
people affected by poverty in the Community continues 
to increase. Community competitiveness is not generally 
based on a firm foundation and, in many sectors, is 
clearly insufficient in relation to some industrialized 
countries and rapidly industrializing countries. The 
Member States still attach too much importance to 
domestic concerns and national self-interest is 
threatening to jeopardize the somewhat fragile progress 
made towards the completion of the single market. 1.3. The completion of the single market, an indis­
pensable requirement if Europe is to secure its rightful 
place in the world, should make it possible to preserve 
and promote a model of life and development wich will 
provide Europe's citizens with: 
— in the pursuit of social justice, an area of liberty 
allowing for private initiative and the development of 
collective undertakings, 
— the possibility of gradually and reliably improving 
employment levels, living standards and quality of 
life, 
— security based on the affirmation of a Europe in 
which economic and social cohesion is assured. 
Priorities 
2.1. If this single market is to have its full dynamic 
effect, national self-interest will have to be transcended 
by coordinated action to implement a number of back-up 
policies at national and Community level and accepting 
already the necessary institutional changes. The 
Committee proposes: 
2.2. The creation of new jobs through: 
— implementation in the Member States of economic 
growth policies involving a substantial increase in 
private and public investment. The Community 
should make use of its borrowing capacity to finance 
infrastructure projects directly, if necessary. It must 
supplement national policies by coordination 
measures and by creating an environment favourable 
to innovation and the setting-up of new businesses 
(including SMEJ). TO combat unemployment, 
employment policy should also provide for measures 
to reorganize and reduce working hours consistent 
with higher productivity, 
7. 1. 89 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 6/11 
— a common vocational training policy — embracing 
continuing training and retraining — aimed at 
promoting geographical and occupational mobility, in 
conjunction with the forecasting of manpower 
requirements; if the free movement of individuals is 
to be effective in this field, efforts must be made to 
ensure the mutual recognition of educational and 
professional qualifications. 
2.3. Creation of a no-frontier area by: 
— strengthening the European monetary system, with 
the institutional reinforcement which this entails, 
— substantial progress in the area of taxation, with 
particular reference to the approximation of VAT 
and excise-duty rates, 
— the development of the social area through the 
formulation and implementation of a Community 
social policy in close conjunction with the economic 
area, particularly by making full use of the possi­
bilities offered by the Single Act and through 
progress in the dialogue at European level, preparing 
and supplementing the dialogue at national level, 
— the elaboration of a Community strategy for the 
coordination of national systems of social protection, 
with due regard for the specific nature of each 
Member State's arrangements and the need for fair 
competition, 
— the establishment of the 'European company' 
providing, in particular, for rules on the information, 
consultation and participation of workers which take 
account of the diversity of national practices and 
conditions, as well as legal and tax problems, 
— paying due attention to the environment in 
Community policies, 
— expanding the common agricultural policy to include 
a policy on rural areas, 
— giving due consideration to consumer interests and 
the consumer's role in determining demand by 
improving competition policy and introducing an 
additional policy on consumer protection and infor­
mation; both policies should be adapted to the 
requirements of the internal market, 
— an outward-looking, world-orientated Community 
external policy accepting fair competition within the 
framework of the GATT based on the principle of 
reciprocity. This policy should also provide for more 
active cooperation both with the countries of the 
Eastern bloc and with those of the Third World. 
Among the latter, the ACP States and the countries 
of the Mediterranean basin occupy a special position. 2.4. Implementation of a more vigorous R&D policy 
aimed both at increased Community competitiveness and 
innovation and the application of new technologies 
generating new products and services and hence the 
creation of jobs. 
2.5. The integration of young people in Community life 
and their involvement in European culture through: 
— the 'Europeanization' of curricula and educational 
qualifications, 
— cultural exchanges (on the basis of programmes, 
projects, scholarships, etc.), 
— projects to be implemented by, and on behalf of, 
European youth. 
2.6. Institutional adjustments. The Committee takes the 
view that the increase in the Community's 
decision-making powers, in areas where this gives 
decisions greater impact, should go hand in hand with a 
strengthening of the prerogatives of the European 
Parliament. As a corollary, the role of representatives of 
economic and social interests should be consolidated 
through more precise and more effective involvement of 
the Economic and Social Committee in Community 
legislative activity and by enhancing the function of the 
two sides of industry in the social dialogue. In view of 
the dangers of a bureaucratic and technocratic Europe, 
the strengthening of the Community institutions should 
thus mean a strengthening of democracy, i. e. more 
effective information of the citizens of Europe and their 
involvement at all levels. 
Conclusion 
The occupational interest groups represented on the 
Economic and Social Committee are aware of the 
importance of completing the internal market and of all 
that this implies in the way of challenges and oppor­
tunities for the Community. In keeping with the role 
they have played in the past, they are ready to make a 
further contribution to the building of Europe with a 
view, in particular, to achieving the objectives and 
securing implementation of the policies outlined above. 
They consider that the economic area should go hand in 
hand with a social area in order to ensure full cohesion 
in the development of the Community and to preserve its 
pattern of life and development. 
Brussels, 23 November 1988. 
Alberto MASPRONE 
The Chairman 
of the 
Economic and Social Committee