No C 131/82 Official  Journal  of the European  Communities 12. 6. 76 
Opinion  on the regional  development  problems  of the Community  from  1975  to 
1977  and  the establishment  of a common  regional  policy 
The opinion  of the Committee  is not based  on any  text. 
A. LEGAL  BASIS  FOR  THE  OPINION 
At its 137th  plenary  session  held  on 25 and  26 February  1976  the Committee, 
acting  on a proposal  from  the  Bureau,  decided  to deliver  an opinion  on the 
abovementioned  subject  on its own  initiative. 
B. OPINION  OF THE  ECONOMIC  AND  SOCIAL  COMMITTEE 
The Economic  and  Social  Committee  prepared  its opinion  on the above  matter  at 
its 138th  plenary  session,  held  in Brussels  on 31 March  and  1 April  1976. 
The full  text  of the opinion  is as follows: 
THE  ECONOMIC  AND  SOCIAL  COMMITTEE, 
Having  regard  to the fourth  paragraph  of Article 
20 of its Rules  of Procedure, 
Having  regard  to its study  of 26 February  1976 
on the  regional  development  problems  of the 
Community  from  1975  to 1977  and  the establish-
ment  of a common  regional  policy, 
Having  regard  to the decision  of the assembly  of 
26 February  1976  to deliver  an opinion  on this 
subject,  based  on the above  study, 
Having  regard  to the  opinion  submitted  by the 
rapporteur,  Mr  Maher,  and  adopted  by  the 
Section  for Regional  Development  using  the writ-
ten procedure  (Article  47 of the Rules  of Proce-
dure), 
Having  regard  to the  discussions  at its 138th 
plenary  session,  held  on 31 March  and  1 April 
1976  (meeting  of 31 March  1976), 
HAS  ADOPTED  THE  FOLLOWING  OPINION 
by a unanimous  vote: 
The Committee  welcomes  the Council's  Decision 
to set up a Regional  Development  Fund  and  a Regional  Policy  Committee,  and  supports  the 
efforts  to establish  a common  regional  policy.  It 
has the  following  comments  to make  on the 
subject: 
Designation  of regions  eligible  for regional  aid 
1.1. Under  the  Regulation  setting  up  the 
Regional  Development  Fund,  1300  million  units 
of account  have  been  set aside  for the 1975/77 
period.  These  monies  are  to be distributed  in 
accordance  with  the following  table: 
Belgium 1-5% 
Denmark 1-3% 
France 15-0% 
Ireland 6-0% 
Italy 40-0% 
Luxembourg 0-1% 
Netherlands 1-7% 
Germany 6-4% 
United  Kingdom 28-0% 
Further,  a sum  of six  million  units  of account 
shall  be granted  to Ireland  which  shall  be deduc-
ted from  the share  of other  Member  States  with 
the exception  of Italy. 
1.2. The  Committee  recognizes  that  a certain 
flexibility  may  be called  for in the initial  period 
12. 6. 76 Official  Journal  of the European  Communities No C 131/83 
with  regard  to the criteria  for the distribution  of 
fund  monies.  It also  considers  that  the  present 
distribution  system  ensures  to some  extent  that 
aid is concentrated  where  the  need  is greatest, 
and rules  out  the  undesirable  practice  of 'fair 
return',  the application  of which  would  jeopardi-
ze future  Fund  activities  and  the establishment  of 
a common  regional  policy. 
1.3. The  Committee  is, nevertheless,  of the 
opinion  that  the system  of allocating  aid from  the 
Regional  Development  Fund  to Member  States  in 
accordance  with  fixed  national  quotas  might  not 
always  be compatible  with  the  principle  that 
under  a common  regional  policy  the relative  need 
of the  regions  should  be the  sole  criterion  for 
allocating  regional  aid resources.  The  Committee 
insists  that  steps  be taken  to ensure  that  future 
fund  monies  be allocated  in accordance  with  this 
principle. 
1.4. The  Committee  points  out  that  it is a 
precondition  to the  application  of this  principle 
that common  criteria  for the identification  of the 
most  needy  regions  be established  and  applied 
throughout  the Community. 
1.5. Such  Community  criteria  should  prefer-
ably be as simple  as possible  and  should  include 
per capita  income,  migration  level,  unemploy-
ment  and  the  existence  of infrastructural,  social 
and educational  facilities.  In establishing  the 
criteria  it should  be borne  in mind  that  economic 
growth  is not necessarily  synonymous  with  deve-
lopment  and  therefore  social  and  environmental 
consideration  should  play  an important  role  in 
the shaping  of the future  of the regions. 
1.6. The  Committee  is aware  that  national 
criteria  for allocation  of regional  development  aid 
are already  in operation  in some  Member  States 
and invites  the Commission  to study  the  expe-
rience  gained  in the application  of these  criteria 
with  a view  to the establishment  of Community 
criteria.  The  Committee  finds  that  the thorough 
study  of national  regional  development  program-
mes referred  to in Article  6 of the fund  Regula-
tion is highly  relevant  to the  establishment  of 
Community  criteria  and  urges  that  the  submis-
sion of these  programmes  be accelerated  as much 
as possible. 
1.7. In  its opinion  of 25 October  1973,  concer-
ning  the proposals  presented  by the Commission 
for the  creation  of a Committee  for  Regional Policy  and  a Regional  Development  Fund,  the 
Committee  urged  that  aid should  be concentrated 
in the regions  of greatest  need  rather  than  being 
dispersed  over  areas  which,  though  under-
developed,  could  not be considered  priority  areas, 
in connection  with  the  distribution  of limited 
resources. 
1.8. The  Committee  notes  with  satisfaction 
that the  recommendation  has  been  taken  into 
account  by the Council  in the establishment  of 
the Regional  Development  Fund  and  urges  that 
the Commission  maintains  this  principle  in the 
allocation  of aid within  the Member  States.  The 
Committee  draws  attention  to the  fact  that  the 
United  Nations  Development  system,  in desig-
nating  among  the  underdeveloped  countries  25 
least-developed  countries  eligible  for special  and 
increased  development  aid,  has adopted  a similar 
principle. 
1.9. The  Committee  draws  attention  to the 
fact that  the regional  structures  and  administra-
tive systems  which  at present  form  the basis  of 
planning  and  implementation  of regional  deve-
lopment  at national  level  vary  considerably  from 
one Member  State  to another.  This,  moreover, 
may constitute  an obstacle  to efficient  planning 
and reduce  transparency.  The  Committee  there-
fore urges  the Commission  to encourage  harmo-
nization  of the national  systems  in order  to evolve 
a common  system. 
1.10.  The  Committee  recommends  that  further 
studies  be carried  out  on the particular  problems 
of the  internal  border  areas  of the  Community. 
Although  the Committee  recognizes  that  the areas 
bordering  third  countries  pose  problems  of a 
different  and  more  complicated  nature  it never-
theless  feels  that  the Community  has a responsibi-
lity towards  these  areas  and  their  development 
and that  their  problems  ought  to be carefully 
examined. 
Objectives  and  principles  of regional  policy 
2.1. The  Committee  wishes  to emphasize  that 
economic  growth  should  not be considered  as an 
objective  in itself,  nor  as the  sole  yardstick  of 
human  welfare.  In fact,  some  of the  serious 
No C 131/84 Official  Journal  of the European  Communities 12. 6. 76 
problems  which  at present  haunt  western  socie-
ties have  arisen  or been  aggravated  in a period  of 
economic  expansion  and  in regions  which  have 
experienced  the greatest  economic  development. 
2.2. On  the  other  hand,  economic  stagnation 
or decline  have  proved  to be the source  of other 
equally  serious  social  scourges,  such  as unem-
ployment  and  emigration  which  are now  threat-
ening  social  and  political  stability  in certain  less-
favoured  regions  all over  the  Community  and 
which  constitute  an obstacle  to the  creation  of 
European  economic  and monetary  union. 
2.3. It  should,  however,  be borne  in mind  that 
each  type  of habitat,  urban  or rural,  has its own 
characteristics,  its own  advantages  and  draw-
backs.  It would  thus  be extremely  unrealistic  to 
expect  any  regional  policy  to create  identical 
living  conditions  in the different  regions.  What 
can be done  is to maximize  the advantages  and 
minimize  the drawbacks  of the different  regions 
to the  point  where  the  different  regions  offer 
living  conditions  which,  though  different,  are 
generally  considered  satisfactory. 
2.4. The  Committee  is therefore  of the opinion 
that the  ultimate  objective  of regional  policy 
should  be,  by improving  the  position  of the 
least-developed  regions,  to make  living  conditions 
attractive  or, at least,  acceptable  in all areas  of 
the ^ ~ imunity.  This  implies,  among  other  things 
the need  to check  and,  if required,  reverse  the 
current  development  trends  which  devalue  living 
conditions  in the  big  cities,  as well  as in the 
peripheral  rural  areas,  and which  to an increasing 
extent  arc  having  damaging  political,  economic 
and social  consequences. 
Means  and  priorities  of regional  policy 
3.1. To  attain  the objectives  of regional  policy, 
as set out  above,  a wide  range  of means  and 
methods  are  at the  disposal  of the  Community 
and national  governments,  such  as the creation  of 
infrastructure  and  the  promotion  of industrial 
and service  enterprises  through  financial  aids,  tax 
incentives  and  subsidies.  The  decentralization  of 
government  agencies  can  also  contribute  to this 
end. It is in the correct  combination  and  timing  of 
these  means  and  methods  that  the  key  to a successful  regional  policy  is to be found.  Due  to 
the complexity  of the  subject,  the  Committee 
wishes  to confine  itself  at the  present  stage  to 
some  general  observations  on the means  and  their 
respective  degrees  of priority  in relation  to the 
particular  problems  to be solved  in the different 
regions  of the Community.  The  matter  should  be 
subjected  to further  study. 
3.2. The  Committee  is of the opinion  that  the 
creation  or maintenance  of a system  of basic 
infrastructure  is an indispensable  condition  of 
general  economic  development  in the less-favour  -
ed regions.  However,  experience  seems  to indica-
te that  the  existence  of such  systems  is not  in 
itself  sufficient  to attract  economic  activities,  but 
should  be complemented  by other  measures  and 
policies  to encourage  the setting  up of productive 
activities. 
3.3. In  rural  areas  not designed  for large-scale 
industrial  development,  infrastructure,  such  as 
roads,  arterial  drainage,  piped  water,  and  tele-
communication  facilities  should  serve  to lessen 
the isolation  of people  and  to create  living 
conditions  sufficiently  attractive  to maintain  the 
population  in the greas.  But  here  again,  the mere 
creation  of an  infrastructure  system  may  be 
insufficient  to attain  the objectives  and  should  be 
combined  with  other  measures,  such  as promo-
tion of small  businesses  and  structural  reorgani-
zation  in agriculture. 
3.4. Certain  large-scale  infrastructure  projects, 
which  may  be considered  a natural  Community 
responsibility,  should  be implemented  with  a 
view  particularly  to linking  the peripheral  regions 
of the Community  to its central  regions.  Impro-
ved communications  systems  between  Ireland/UK 
and the  continent  are  a case  in point.  The 
Committee  does,  however,  recognize  that  the 
present  inadequacy  of the Regional  Development 
Fund  constitutes  a serious  obstacle  to the under-
taking  of such  projects  at Community  level  and 
sees herein  an essential  argument  for a substantial 
increase  in the fund. 
3.5. Decentralization  of government  agencies 
has the double  effect  of easing  pressure  in conges-
ted areas  and  bringing  new  impulses  to the 
regions  in which  they  are implemented.  The  same 
holds  true  of educational,  cultural  and  social 
12. 6. 76 Official  Journal  of the European  Communities No C 131/85 
facilities  and  institutions  such  as vocational 
training  centres  which  are  at the  same  time 
instrumental  in maintaining  the young  people  in 
the regions. 
3.6. The  characteristics  of each  region,  the 
existence  of basic  infrastructure  systems,  environ-
mental  considerations,  agricultural  or tourist 
potential,  etc.,  will  determine  which  activities 
should  form  the  economic  backbone  of the 
regions.  The  choice  between  agriculture,  industry 
or service  activities  will  thus  vary  according  to 
the type  of region  such  as: 
— declining  or stagnant  agricultural  regions  with 
a high  emigration  rate; 
— regions  of obsolete  industrialization  with  a 
high rate  of unemployment; 
— peripheral  regions; 
— border  areas. 
The Committee  is of the opinion  that  although  it 
is desirable  to establish  Community  criteria  and 
guidelines  for the choice  and  combination  of the 
various  means  and  instruments  available  to a 
regional  policy,  a large  measure  of flexibility  is 
indispensable  to take  into  account  the particulari-
ties and potential  of the individual  region. 
3.7. A  similar  flexibility  is called  for as regards 
the structure,  financing  and administration  of the 
projects  to be implemented  under  a regional 
policy.  In this  connection  the  Committee  notes 
that the fund  Regulation  requires  the creation  of 
10 new  jobs  (or maintenance  of old ones)  as one 
of the conditions  for providing  Community  aid to 
the financing  of the  project.  The  Committee 
recognizes  that  administrative  considerations 
necessitate  a certain  simplification  of the  fund 
operations,  but  would  nevertheless  like  to draw 
attention  to the  fact  that  this  condition  may 
exclude  types  of projects  which,  in the circum-
stances,  may  be the  most  suitable  means  of 
developing  a region  and  maintaining  the popula-
tion in the region. 
3.8. Small-  and  medium-scale  enterprises  may 
in certain  cases  be the sole  or the most  appropri-
ate means  of solving  the  economic  and  social 
problems  of a region  and  the  Commission  is 
invited  to examine  to what  extent  such  enter-
prises  may  be aided.  In support  of its viewpoint 
the Committee  observes  that  the investment/job creation  ratio  generally  seems  to be more  favou-
rable  for small-scale  projects  than  for large-scale 
ones. 
3.9. On  the other  hand,  the Committee  recog-
nizes  the considerable  advantage  in terms  both  of 
administration  and  public  relations  of concentra-
ting Community  aid  on major  projects  rather 
than  spreading  it thin  over  a large  number  of 
small  and  unrelated  ones.  As stated  above,  it is 
nonetheless  very  valuable  to be able  to assist 
small-  and  medium-scale  enterprises  in certain 
regions.  The  Committee  therefore  invites  the 
Commission  to examine  ways  and  means  of 
stimulating  such  enterprises  to group  themselves 
into professional  or multi-professional  organiza-
tions,  which  may  serve  as agents  for distribution 
and administration  of regional  aid. 
3.10.  The  more  obvious  and  recognizable  the 
projects,  the  easier  it is for the  population  to 
appreciate  that  the Community  is actively  partici-
pating  in development  efforts  and  doing  some-
thing  which  would  not otherwise  have  been  done. 
3.11.  The  Committee  is in favour  of large-scale 
Community  projects  involving  more  than  one 
Member  State.  Such  projects  are  particularly 
necessary  for promoting  the development  of bor-
der and  outlying  areas  and  creating  an efficient 
infrastructure.  For  such  projects,  funds  provided 
by the Community  must  however  be additional  to 
normal  regional  development  funds  provided  by 
Member  States  (principle  of additionality  and 
suitable  checks  should  be made  in each  case  to 
verify  that  this  is so. The  Committee  is aware  of 
the considerable  problems  of a political,  adminis-
trative  and  operational  nature  presented  by this 
approach  and  recommends  that  such  projects 
should  not be embarked  upon  without  thorough 
research  and  preparation. 
Vertical  and  horizontal  planning  and  coordina-
tion of policies  and  activities  dealing  directly  or 
indirectly  with  regional  development 
4.1. The  Committee  is of the opinion  that  in 
the long  term  no efficient  and  realistic  planning 
of regional  development  within  the Community  is 
No C 131/86 Official  Journal  of the European  Communities 12. 6. 76 
possible  without  balanced  and  integrated  involve-
ment  of regional,  national  and  Community 
authorities  in the planning  process.  The  Commit-
tee therefore  urges  the Community  institutions  in 
cooperation  with  the Member  States  to examine 
this problem  with  a view  to establishing  proce-
dures  which  will  ensure  appropriate  influence  of 
the different  authorities  concerned  with  regional 
development  planning. 
4.2. To  ensure  realistic  and  up-to-date  plan-
ning,  the Committee  recommends  the introduc-
tion of pluri-annual  planning  periods  setting  out 
annual  targets  and  providing  for  annual  and 
pluri-annual  target  reviews.  These  target  reviews 
should  include  an analysis  of the extent  to which 
the targets  have  been  attained  and  in cases  where 
targets  had  not  been  attained,  the  reasons  for 
such  negative  results. 
4.3. The  Committee  notes  with  satisfaction  the 
initiatives  being  taken  by various  member  coun-
tries in this  respect.  The  regional  report  recently 
introduced  in the Scottish  regions  is an example. 
The Committee  recommends  that  further  studies 
be carried  out in this  field. 
4.4. The  Committee  welcomes  the 'Outline  for 
the preparation  of national  regional  development 
programmes',  which  has  recently  been  adopted 
by the Committee  for Regional  Policy  (Appendix 
IV). This  document,  which  will  serve  as a guide-
line for the Member  States  in the preparation  of 
their  national  regional  development  plans  repre-
sents  an important  step  forward  towards  the 
planning  procedure  referred  to above. 
4.5. The  Committee  emphasizes  the  need  to 
formulate  regional  policy  in stages  each  of which 
should  be considered  equally  important.  One 
such  stage  is represented  by the need  for imme-
diate  action  at national  and  Community  level  to 
help out  the regions  in most  urgent  need  and  to 
halt and  reverse  the  most  disastrous  trends  in 
economic  and  social  development  in the Commu-
nity.  Another  stage  is long-term  planning  aimed 
at correcting  or preventing  harmful  regional 
imbalances  and  ensuring  a fair  distribution  of 
wealth  and  opportunities  in all regions  of the 
Community. 
4.6. The  Committee  considers  that  inter-secto-
ral planning  and  coordination  at both  Communi-
ty and  national  level  are  of paramount  import-ance  for the efficient  implementation  of regional 
development  activities  and  in order  to avoid 
waste  of efforts  and resources. 
4.7. At  Community  level  there  is a vital  need 
to establish  an institutionalized,  systematic  and 
permanent  coordination  of the  various  Commu-
nity policies  and  instruments  relevant  to regional 
development  (the  Agricultural  Fund,  the  Social 
Fund,  the EIB,  the ECSE,  transport  policy,  indus-
trial policy,  etc.).  The  Committee  therefore  wel-
comes  the initiative  recently  taken  by the Com-
mission  in creating  an inter-departmental  plan-
ning  and  coordination  group  and  will  follow  the 
important  work  to be performed  by this  group 
with  close  interest. 
Harmonization  and  improvement  of statistical 
information 
5.1. Further  development  of regional  planning, 
transparency  of accounts  and  budgets,  monitor-
ing of regional  development,  identification  of 
regional  problems,  etc.  are heavily  dependent  on 
the existence  of reliable  and  standardized  infor-
mation  systems  applicable  throughout  the Com-
munity.  Such  systems  do not  seem  to exist  at 
present  although  steps  have  been  taken  in this 
direction,  both  inside  and  outside  the Communi-
ty. The  Committee  urges  the  Commission  to 
speed  up and  intensify  its efforts  to solve  this 
problem. 
The principle  of additionally 
6.1. The  Committee  firmly  supports  the princi-
ple that  Community  aid in its totality  should  be 
allocated  to the most  needy  regions  of the Com-
munity  and  should  complement  the  national 
efforts  deployed  in these  regions.  Community  aid 
should  be utilized  to support  development  activi-
ties which  would  otherwise  not have  been  under-
taken  or which  would  only  have  been  undertaken 
at a later  stage.  Under  no circumstances  should 
national  governments  be allowed  to absorb,  total-
ly or partially,  Community  aid  monies  in their 
national  budget  or to curtail  their  own  original 
development  efforts  at the prospect  of receiving 
support  from  the Community. 
12. 6. 76 Official  Journal  of the European  Communities No C 131/87 
6.2. The  Committee  finds  that  non-respect  of 
the principle  of additionality  is contrary  both  to 
the words  of the preamble  to the fund  Regulation 
and to the spirit  of the Regulation  itself.  It would 
jeopardize  the  aims  and  value  of the  fund  and 
would  constitute  a serious  blow  to the Communi-
ty solidarity  professed  at the summit  conferences. 
A practice  of absorbing,  totally  or partially, 
Community  regional  funds  in the  national  ex-
chequers  would  also  tend  to discourage  net 
donors  to the Regional  Development  Fund. 
6.3. The  Committee  therefore  urges  the Com-
mission  to ensure  that  the principle  of additiona-
lity be respected  by all Member  States  and  to 
establish  suitable  control  measures  in this respect. 
The Committee  is also  of the opinion  that  pluri-
annual  planning  periods  and  greater  transparency 
and harmonization  of national  budgets  constitute 
an important  step  towards  the full  respect  of the 
principle. 
The resources  available 
7.1. The  Committee  emphasizes  that  the pre-
sent size  of the  Regional  Development  Fund  is 
totally  inadequate  to meet  the existing  needs  and 
that its impact  on regional  development  will  be 
minimal  compared  to the efforts  of the Member 
States  in this  field.  The  Committee  is of the 
opinion  that  without  support  of adequate  finan-
cial means  it will  not be possible  to establish  and 
carry  out a common  regional  policy. 
7.2. This  consideration,  however,  does  not 
prevent  the  Committee  from  appreciating  the 
importance  of the  creation  of the  fund  and  the 
considerable  positive  psychological  effects  of its 
existence  and  operation.  It is a significant  first 
step towards  correcting  the regional  imbalances 
within  the Community  and  towards  transforming 
Community  solidarity  into  practical  action. 
7.3. The  Committee  does,  however,  urge  that 
steps  be taken  immediately  to ensure  that  future 
development  funds  will  be of sufficient  size  to 
meet  the needs  and  will  be established  in accor-
dance  with  objective  criteria. 7.4. The  Committee  recommends  that  supple-
mentary  ways  of financing  the fund  should  be 
looked  for  and  would  like  to point  to the 
possibilities  of Community  loans.  The  matter 
should  be given  further  study. 
Participation  of interested  regional  authorities 
and professional  organizations  in planning  and 
execution  of regional  development 
8.1. The  Committee  holds  the view  that  there 
is a growing  need  to involve  the  regions  more 
directly  in the  planning  and  implementation  of 
regional  development  activities  and  at the same 
time  to plan  regional  development  in the Member 
States  in a Community  context.  There  can  be no 
doubt  that  the  national  governments  for  some 
time still,  will  constitute  the main  political,  admi-
nistrative  and  financial  centre  for regional  deve-
lopment  activities,  but the tendencies  on the one 
hand  towards  decentralization  of power  and 
responsibilities  to the  regions  and  on the  other 
hand  towards  planning,  coordination  and  imple-
mentation  at Community  level  are unmistakable. 
8.2. The  Committee  in recognizing  the com-
plexity  and  the dimensions  of this  matter,  invites 
the Council  and  the  Commission,  in collabora-
tion with  the Member  States,  to formulate  com-
mon principles  and  guidelines  for the roles  of the 
various  authorities,  in particular  regional  authori-
ties and  professional  and  social  organizations 
involved  in the  planning  and  implementation 
process,  in the field  of regional  development. 
8.3. In  particular  the Committee  recommends 
that: 
— each  region  should  be assured  of means  of 
exercising  adequate  influence  on the planning 
and implementation  of development  activities 
within  its  own  area  and  of participating 
actively  in the administration  of such  activi-
ties. It should  in turn  contribute  to national 
regional  development  programmes; 
— the region  should  be consulted  in connection 
with  the  establishment  of the  criteria  for 
selecting  the regions  eligible  for regional  aid, 
the means,  methods  and  procedures  of 
regional  development  and  other  important 
elements  of regional  policy; 
No C 131/88 Official  Journal  of the European  Communities 12. 6. 76 
— the  regions  should  be given  the possibility  of 
following,  on a permanent  basis,  the develop-
ment  and  results  of the  regional  policy  and 
have  the right  to propose  or be consulted  on 
changes  in this  policy. 
8.4. The  Committee  notes  with  satisfaction 
that in some  Member  States  substantial  progress 
has been  made  towards  ensuring  adequate  parti-
cipation  and  influence  for the regions  and  invites 
the Commission  to stimulate  and  promote  this 
development  in all Member  States. 
8.5. The  Committee  notes  that  the  consulta-
tion of regional  authorities  and  professional  orga-
nizations  referred  to in Article  5 of the Decision 
on the  creation  of a Committee  for  Regional 
Policy  is only  facultative  and  regrets  the lack  of 
initiative  and  determination  on the  part  of the 
Community  in securing  adequate  participation 
and influence  of all interested  parties. 
8.6. The  Committee  insists  that  it be kept 
regularly  informed  and  consulted  on the activities 
of the  Regional  Development  Fund  and  of the 
Committee  for Regional  Policy.  In this  connec-
tion the  Committee  recalls  that  it has  not  been 
included  in Article  16 (1) of the fund  Regulation 
as one  of the  Community  bodies  which  are  to 
receive  the  annual  Commission  report  on the 
application  of the fund  Regulation,  and expresses 
the wish  that  this  omission  be corrected  as soon 
as possible. Other  activities  of the  Regional  Development 
Fund 
9.1. The  Committee  is of the  opinion  that 
publicity  for  the  fund's  work  should  be an 
integral  part  of the  tasks  assigned  to the  fund. 
Opportunities,  time  and  resources  will  be wasted 
if regional  and  local  authorities  and  investors  are 
not adequately  informed  in good  time  of the 
possibilities  and  conditions  for  obtaining  aid 
from  the Regional  Development  Fund. 
9.2. It  is equally  important  to keep  the public 
informed  of the activities  of the fund  and  of the 
implementation  and  progress  of fund-assisted 
programmes  and  projects.  In this  connection,  the 
large-scale  Community-assisted  projects  offer 
particularly  good  opportunities  to demonstrate 
the Community's  active  involvement  in develop-
ment  activities.  The  use  of signboards  and  other 
publicity  media  in connection  with  Community-
assisted  projects  as well  as direct  contacts  with 
the regions  for  information  purposes,  could  be 
among  the means  available  to the Commission. 
9.3. The  Committee  invites  the Commission  to 
examine  to what  extent  other  measures  of an 
administrative  or  technical  nature  could  be 
employed  to assist  Member  States  and  ensure  the 
smooth  and  efficient  operation  of the fund.  The 
Committee  draws  attention  to the possibility  of 
creating  one  or more  'trouble-shooting'  multi-dis-
ciplinary  teams  to assist,  at the  request  of the 
Member  States  and  for a limited  period  of time, 
with,  for example,  the launching  of Community-
assisted  projects.  Another  useful  assistance  to 
Member  States  would  be the creation  of a high-
level  permanent  consultation  bureau. 
Done  at Brussels,  1 April  1976. 
The Chairman 
of the Economic  and  Social  Committee 
Henri  CANONGE