31. 12. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 332/77 
initiative expires, the Commission should assess its 
effectiveness, and, after consulting the ESC, adopt a 
Done at Brussels, 20 September 1990. 
1. Introduction 
1.1. Within the framework of Council Regulation 
(EEC) No 4253/88 (*), the Commission is seeking to 
launch an initiative in data communications entitled 
TELEMATIQUE; its aim is to promote regional devel­
opment and to consolidate and build on the achieve­
ments of the STAR programme and the momentum that 
programme has generated (2). The Committee issued a 
favourable Opinion on the STAR programme, which 
began in 1987 and is due to end in 1991. 
1.2. TELEMATIQUE targets objective 1 regions, i.e. 
regions whose per capita domestic product is less than 
75% of the Community average (framework Regu­
lation 2052/88). 
1.3. The initiative seeks to (i) introduce advanced 
telecommunications services into firms, (ii) set up and new initiative designed to continue the work with 
adequate funds. 
The Chairman 
of the Economic and Social Committee 
Alberto MASPRONE 
develop data communications services in the public 
sector and (iii) encourage the installation of equipment 
to provide an interface between data communications 
systems within objective 1 regions and between them 
and the rest of the Community. The importance and 
potential effectiveness of such measures in correcting 
regional imbalances as quickly as possible should be 
stressed. 
This initiative appears promising for manufacturers, in 
that it will improve (i) the conditions governing ther 
market access and (ii) their communication with the 
different agents in the economic production chain. It 
also looks positive for the services sector, particularly 
on the transport front. Two areas in the public services 
sector, namely health and education, could benefit con­
siderably. 
2. Eligible measures Opinion on the draft notice from the Commission to Member States laying down guidelines 
for operational programmes in the framework of a Community initiative for regional 
development concerning services and networks related to data communication 
TELEMATIQUE 
(90/C 332/23) 
On 2 August 1990 the Commission decided to consult the Economic and Social Committee, 
under Article 198 of the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, on the 
abovementioned draft notice. 
The Section for Regional Development and Town and Country Planning, which was respon­
sible for preparing the Committee's work on the subject, adopted its Opinion on 10 September 
1990. The Rapporteur was Mr Ataide Ferreira. 
At its 279th plenary session (meeting of 19 September 1990) the Economic and Social 
Committee adopted the following Opinion unanimously. 
(!) OJ No L 374, 31. 12.1988. 
(2) OJ No L 305, 31. 10. 1986 (Regulation (EEC) No 3300/86). 2.1. Paragraphs 6,7 and 8 of the draft notice indicate 
three key areas to be targeted (also outlined in point 1.3 
of the present Opinion). 
No C 332/78 Official Journal of the European Communities 31. 12. 90 
2.2. In the case of firms, eligible sectors are chosen 
in the light both of regional priorities, as highlighted a 
number of times by the ESC, and of the need to follow 
up action carried out under other Community pro­
grammes; the Section considers this move to be particu­
larly apt. 
2.3. The approach to eligible measures affecting data 
communication services in the public sector also 
appears to be sound in terms of (i) the importance 
attached to studies, (ii) the purchase of equipment and 
(iii) proposed improvements to structural fund manage­
ment and information. If a public sector is not able to 
respond quickly and efficiently to requests made by 
firms, the net result will be that the sector itself will 
jeopardize development of small and medium-sized 
enterprises (SME); this is why there is such an urgent 
need for action. 
2.4. The development of links within objective 
1 regions and between these regions and the rest of 
the Community constitutes a vital aspect of regional 
development strategy. Regions which have not yet had 
the opportunity to improve their data communications 
infrastructure under the STAR programme will still be 
able to do so, provided the infrastructure projects which 
they submit link up with the new programme. Only by 
increasing the resources of each region can full advan­
tage be taken of the opportunities offered by the Intern­
al Market and the existing facilities in developed 
regions (1). 
3. Funding 
3.1. The programme will be funded jointly by the 
Community and the Member States concerned. 
3.2. The contribution of the European Regional 
Development Fund (ERDF) to cover 1991-1993 is esti­
mated at 200 million ECU; this does not exclude the 
possibility of recourse to funding by the European 
Investment Bank (EIB). 
3.3. It is always important to consider whether pro­
posed funding levels are adequate. The ESC Opinion 
(*) See point 2.9 of Committee Opinion CES 638/86 — OJ 
No C 263, 20. 10. 1986. 
Done at Brussels, 19 September 1990. on the STAR programme considered that funds for it 
were insufficient; it transpires that, for a variety of 
reasons, these funds were not fully used up. 
The Committee therefore feels that there are no com­
ments to make on the matter. This operational pro­
gramme will help ensure compliance with the provision 
in the Regulation on Structural Fund reform r). 
4. Programme assessment 
4.1. When a programme is submitted for assessment, 
the Commission proposes to take into account (i) the 
programme's contribution to regional development and 
to integration into the Single Market and (ii) what 
additional amount of financial resources would need 
to be earmarked for TELEMATIQUE, in comparaison 
with resources provided for similar purposes under the 
Community support frameworks. 
4.2. This point does not call for any specific com­
ment. It is, however, important to stress the need for 
the Community services to liaise clovely with regional 
bodies, be these political bodies or socio-economic 
organizations. It is also necessary to publicize this 
initiative sufficiently so that all parties concerned are 
aware of it, particularly as the deadline for submitting 
proposals is relatively short (6 months). 
4.3. The Committee recommends that the assess­
ment criteria should take into account the degree of 
coordination and consistency between the various 
regional development programmes at both the planning 
and implementation stages. 
5. Conclusions 
5.1. The Committee approves the Commission 
initiative. 
5.2. It is hoped that the Commission will draw up 
regular reports on the implementation of this initiative 
and that these reports will be forwarded to the ESC. 
(2) OJ No L 185, 15. 7. 1988 (Regulation (EEC) No 2052/88). 
The Chairman 
of the Economic and Social Committee 
Alberto MASPRONE