3. 3. 80 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 53/1 
II 
(Preparatory Acts) 
ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE 
Opinion on the endowment of the European Regional Development'Fund 
A. LEGAL BASIS FOR THE OPINION 
At its 172nd plenary session held on 24 and 25 October 1979 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 
172nd plenary session held in Brussels on 24 and 25 October 1979. 
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 and the decision taken at 
its meeting on 24 October 1979 to draw up an opin­
ion, under Article 46 of the Rules of Procedure (ur­
gency procedure), on the size of the European 
Regional Development Fund, 
Having regard to Article 18 of the Rules of Proce­
dure and its decision of 24 October 1979 nominating 
Mr Milne rapporteur-general, 
Having regard to earlier work of the Committee and 
in particular the opinion on the guidelines for re­
gional policy (*) and the opinion on the third annual 
report on the European Regional Development 
Fund 1977 (2), 
Having regard to the discussions at its 172nd plen­
ary session held on 24 and 25 October 1979 (meeting 
of 25 October 1979), on the basis of the oral report 
submitted by the rapporteur-general, Mr Milne, 
(») OJNoC292,3. 12.1977. 
(2) OJ No C 133, 28. 5. 1979. Whereas it is vitally important to maintain and in­
crease the Fund's resources, 
Whereas an opinion is currently being prepared on 
the fourth annual report on the European Regional 
development Fund's activities, 
HAS ADOPTED THE FOLLOWING OPINION 
by a majority, with 11 votes against and six absten­
tions : 
The Committee re-affirms the absolute necessity of 
implementing, finally and swiftly, a vigorous Com­
munity regional development policy and therefore 
calls for an increase in the resources available to the 
Regional Development Fund. It expresses its con­
cern regarding any action which would result in a 
reduction in real terms of the Fund's endowment 
below the amount available in 1979, at a time when 
the situation of the less-favoured regions calls rather 
for an increase in available resources. 
No C 53/2 Official Journal of the European Communities 3. 3. 80 
The Committee urges the Community bodies respon­
sible for the decisions regarding the size of the 
Done at Brussels, 25 October 1979. 
The full text of the opinion is as follows: 
THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE, 
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the Euro­
pean Economic Community, and in particular 
Article 198 thereof, 
Having regard to the resolution of 22 March 1971 of 
the Council and the representatives of the Govern­
ments of the Member States concerning the realiza­
tion by stages of economic and monetary union in 
the Community, 
Having regard to the Council Decision of 18 Feb­
ruary 1974 on the attainment of a high degree of 
convergence of the economic policies of the Mem­
ber States of the European Community, 
Having regard to the request made by the Council 
of the European Communities on 23 October 1979 
for an opinion on the Commission's annual econ­
omic report 1979/80, Regional Development Fund to take account of the 
top priority which it attaches to this matter. 
The Chairman 
of the Economic and Social Committee 
R. VANNI 
Having regard to the decision taken by the Bureau 
of the Economic and Social Committee on 26 June 
1979 instructing the Section for Economic and 
Financial Questions to draw up an opinion on the 
Commission's annual economic report 1979/80, in 
anticipation of a Council referral, 
Having regard to the opinion of the Section for 
Economic and Financial Questions adopted at its 
54th meeting on 23 October 1979, 
Having regard to the report submitted by the rappor­
teur, Mr Drago, 
Having regard to the discussions at its 172nd plen­
ary session held on 24 and 25 October 1979 (meeting 
of 25 October 1979), 
HAS ADOPTED THE FOLLOWING OPINION Opinion on the annual economic report 1979/80 
The text referred to the Committee has not yet been published in the Official Journal 
of the European Communities. 
A. LEGAL BASIS FOR THE OPINION 
The Council Decision of 18 February 1974 on the attainment of a high degree of con­
vergence of the economic policies of the Member States of die European Community. 
B. OPINION OF THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE 
The Economic and Social Committee prepared its opinion on the above matter at its 
172nd plenary session held in Brussels on 24 and 25 October 1979.