Amended proposal for a Council Decision adopting a specific programme of research, technological development and demonstration in the area of advanced communications, technologies and services (1994 to 1998) (94/C 262/02) (Text with EEA relevance) COM(94) 243 final - 94/0080(CNS)

(Submitted by the Commission pursuant to Article 189 A (2) of the EC Treaty on 6 June 1994)

The proposal for a Council Decision adopting a specific programme of research, technological development and demonstration in the area of advanced communications technologies and services (COM(94) 68 final - 94/0080(CNS)) is amended as follows:

Recital 4

Whereas in accordance with Article 130 i (3), an estimate should be made of the financial resources needed to carry out this specific programme; whereas the final amounts will be decided upon by the budgetary authority in accordance with the resources available under the financial perspective and the relative priority assigned to the area covered by this programme within activity I under the fourth framework programme;

Recital 5a

(new)

Whereas any increase in the overall maximum amount of the framework programme will depend in particular on the evaluation of the progress made in implementing the programme; whereas the progress in this programme will be deemed satisfactory only if the first commitments of appropriations are effected within a reasonable period following the adoption of the programme; whereas that period may not exceed 12 months;

Recital 7a

(new)

Whereas it is essential, to enable the European Union to meet the challenges of the 'information society`, not only to develop the necessary technological base but also to encourage the broadest possible access to the new information and communications infrastructures;

Recital 11a

(new)

Whereas the Commission's efforts to simplify and accelerate the application and selection procedures and make them more transparent must be continued in order to promote the implementation of the programme and to facilitate the action which firms, particularly SMEs, research centres and universities must undertake in order to participate in a Community RTD activity;

Recital 14a

(new)

Whereas, in view of the increasing convergence between information technologies, telecommunications technologies and telematics, the programme should be implemented in close coordination with research programmes in the fields of information technologies and telematics applications of common interest, so as to reinforce the synergetic effects thereof;

Recital 16a

(new)

Whereas there is also a need to carry out research, in liaison with the finalized socio-economic research programme, firstly into the social impact of advanced communications technologies and services (particularly on regional planning and the organization of production and labour) and secondly into the interaction between the European citizen and the information infrastructure;

Article 2 (1)

1. The funds estimated as necessary for the execution of the programme amount to ECU 630 million, including a maximum of 10,3 % for staff and administrative expenditure.

The first appropriations shall be committed no later than 12 months following the adoption of the programme unless good reason is given for exceeding this deadline.

Article 2 (4)

4. The budgetary authority shall lay down the available appropriations for each financial year in accordance with the availability of resources under the financial perspective and the scientific and technological priorities fixed by the fourth framework programme.

ANNEX I

Introduction, first paragraph, second sentence

The RTD areas proposed are those most vital to the development of the infrastructure, taking into account the need for selectivity and concentration of effort and the objective of improving the competitiveness of all industry and the employment situation in the European Union, and of enhancing the quality of life of its citizens, particularly by facilitating equal access for all to the information infrastructure.

ANNEX II

Area 4 and 6

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