26. 5. 86 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 263/37 
telecommunications infrastructure and link them up 
with the central networks so as to safeguard their vital 
needs and improve their development potential. 
2.9. Under the STAR programme, regional dispar­
ities within the recipient Member States are to be 
tackled by improving the flow of information between 
central and other areas. In addition, international com­
munications are to be developed by establishing better 
links between the central areas of the Member States, 
this also being to the benefit of the peripheral areas. This is the idea behind a Community-wide telecom­
munications network, which is one of the prerequisites 
for closing the gaps between national growth rates. It 
would therefore make sense to grant aid under the 
STAR programme for, say, urgently needed optical 
fibre links between two Member States. However, the 
Commission and the Member States concerned should 
check in each case whether and to what extent the 
measures to be taken — for which the PTTs are respon­
sible — can be paid for out of national funds. Where 
the Community provides aid, 'additionally' should be 
guaranteed. 
Done at Brussels, 3 July 1986. 
The Chairman 
of the Economic and Social Committee 
Gerd MUHR 
Opinion of the Economic and Social Committee on the proposal for a Council Regulation 
(EEC) amending Regulation (EEC) No 1408/71 on the application of social security schemes 
to employed persons, to self-employed persons and to members of their families moving 
within the Community and Regulation (EEC) No 574/72 laying down the procedure for 
implementing Regulation (EEC) No 1408/71 
(86/C 263/12) 
On 16 May 1986 the Council decided to consult the Economic and Social Committee, under 
Article 198 of the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, on the above-
mentioned proposal. 
The Economic and Social Committee appointed Mr Pearson Rapporteur-General to prepare 
the Committee's work on the matter. 
At its 238th plenary session (meeting of 3 July 1986) the Economic and Social Committee 
unanimously adopted the following opinion: 
1. Articles 26 (Annex 1) and 27 (Annex 2) of the Act 
of Accession of Spain and Portugal require adaptations 
to various Regulations, and the Institutions of the Com­
munity have to make the necessary adjustment due to 
the most recent enlargement of the Community and to 
two Council amending Regulations (!) which have been 
adopted since the signing of the Act of Accession. 
(!) Council Regulations (EEC) No 1660/85 and (EEC) No 1661/ 
85, related to Greenland. 2. In relation to social security provisions as pro­
vided for in Community Regulations (EEC) No 1408/ 
71 and (EEC) No 574/72 concerning employed persons, 
self-employed persons and members of their families 
moving within the Community, such amendments are 
the subject of the Commission's amending proposals in 
COM(86) 125 final. 
No C 263/38 Official Journal of the European Communities 20. 10. 86 
3. The Committee notes that it makes provision for 
the technical adaptations involving the new agreements 
between Spain and France and between Spain and Ger­
many. It further takes account of the deletion of the 
provision for Greenland by Denmark as well as the 
inclusion of the agreement between Greece and the 
Member States for pensions insurance schemes (self-
employed persons). 4. The Committee approves the proposals of the 
Commission believing that the adaptations have been 
properly made. 
5. The Committee believes it to be important that 
this new Regulation, when introduced, shall apply with 
effect from 1 January 1986 and that the Regulation 
should be binding in its entirety and directly applicable 
to all Member States. 
Done at Brussels, 3 July 9186. 
The Chairman 
of the Economic and Social Committee 
Gerd MUHR 
Opinion on the proposal for a Council Regulation (EEC) on a common measure to improve 
vine-growing structures in Portugal (*) 
(86/C 263/13) 
On 12 June 1986, the Council decided to exercise its option to consult the Economic and 
Social Committee, under Articles 43 and 198 of the Treaty establishing the European 
Economic Community, on the proposal for a Council Regulation (EEC) on a common 
measure to improve vine-growing structures in Portugal. 
The Economic and Social Committee decided to appoint Mr Bento Goncalves as Rapporteur-
General with the task of preparing its work on the subject. 
At its 238th plenary session (meeting of 3 July 1986) the Economic and Social Committee 
adopted the following opinion with no dissenting votes, but with two abstentions: 
1. As the Committee has been obliged to prepare 
this opinion at very short notice, it is only able to 
discuss the general aspects of the Commission proposal. 
2. The Committee approves the Commission pro­
posal, which has as its main aim the restructuring and 
rationalization of the Portuguese wine sector using the 
structural measures which have proved effective in 
other Member States. 
(!) OJ No C 153, 19. 6. 1986. 3. The Committee notes that the proposed pro­
cedures and rates of reimbursement reflect the particu­
lar needs of the Portuguese wine-growing areas con­
cerned. 
The Committee invites the Commission to consider the 
case for similar measures to help other wine-growing 
areas whose situation is comparable to that of the 
Portuguese regions covered by the present proposal. 
Done at Brussels, 3 July 1986. 
The Chairman 
of the Economic and Social Committee 
Gerd MUHR