97/15/EC: Council Decision of 9 December 1996 on a third multiannual programme for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the European Union (1997 to 2000)

COUNCIL DECISION of 9 December 1996 on a third multiannual programme for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the European Union (1997 to 2000) (97/15/EC)
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION
,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 130 (3) thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission (1),
Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament (2),
Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee (3),
Having regard to the opinion of the Committee of the Regions (4),
1. Whereas on 10 October 1994 the Council adopted a resolution on giving full scope to the dynamism and innovatory potential of small and medium-sized enterprises, including the craft sector and micro-enterprises, in a competitive economy (5);
2. Whereas on 21 November 1994 the Council adopted a resolution on the strengthening of the competitiveness of Community industry (6);
3. Whereas on 27 November 1995 the Council adopted a resolution on small and medium-sized industrial enterprises (SMEs) and technological innovation (7);
4. Whereas on 22 April 1996 the Council adopted a resolution on the coordination of Community activities in favour of small and medium-sized enterprises and the craft sector (8);
5. Whereas on 14 June 1993 the Council adopted Decision 93/379/EEC on a multiannual programme of Community measures to intensify the priority areas and to ensure the continuity and consolidation of policy for enterprise, in particular small and medium-sized enterprises, in the Community (9);
6. Whereas the Commission has submitted reports on measures arising from that Decision;
7. Whereas the Commission submitted to the European Parliament, the Council and the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions an external evaluation report on the implementation of the current multiannual programme pursuant to Article 5 of Decision 93/379/EEC;
8. Whereas on 3 June 1994 in line with its White Paper on Growth, competitiveness and employment, the Commission adopted a communication on the implementation of an integrated programme in favour of SMEs and the craft sector aimed in particular at presenting the overall Community enterprise policy;
9. Whereas on 29 November 1995 the Commission adopted a report on 'SMEs: a dynamic source of employment, growth and competitiveness in the European Union`, which it submitted to the Madrid European Council and in which the Commission called for a more ambitious enterprise policy to unlock the full potential of European enterprises for employment, growth and competitiveness;
10. Whereas SMEs make a major contribution towards entrenching the role of industry in the European Union, thereby compensating for the trend towards the relocation of businesses; whereas the special role played by SMEs, in particular through close relations with customers and staff and through the scope for personal development offered to many businessmen and businesswomen should not be underestimated;
11. Whereas this Decision constitutes the legal basis for specific complementary measures which are not part of other Community policies and which cannot be better carried out at Member State level;
12. Whereas the principle of subsidiarity must be respected when this multiannual programme is implemented;
13. Whereas SMEs whose activities span borders should be assisted in overcoming any structural weaknesses;
14. Whereas this Decision is especially directed at SMEs, regardless of sector, legal structure and geographical location, including, inter alia, the craft sector, enterprises in commerce and distribution and very small enterprises;
15. Whereas the measures set out in this Decision are applicable throughout the European Union and aim at:
- encouraging an environment favourable for the development of SMEs,
- improving the integration and organization of SMEs, especially small enterprises and crafts, in the single market,
- improving the competitiveness of European SMEs and encouraging their Europeanization and internationalization, thus fostering growth, job creation and economic and social cohesion in the Community;
16. Whereas the actions in the area of transitional technological development will be managed in coordination with the Community's RTD programme, respecting the relevant decision-making procedures and whereas they will take into account the follow-up to the Green Paper on innovation;
17. Whereas the additional protocols to the Association Agreements concluded with the countries of central and eastern Europe provide for participation of those countries in Community programmes;
18. Whereas provision should also be made for participation by Cyprus and Malta in the framework of the Association Agreements concluded with those countries;
19. Whereas the second programme expires on 31 December 1996; whereas it is necessary to adopt a third programme for a four-year period and to endow it with sufficient resources to attain its objectives;
20. Whereas the Commission, assisted by the Committee, will take the necessary measures to implement this programme, apart from any tax harmonization measures,