93/379/EEC: Council Decision of 14 June 1993 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

COUNCIL DECISION of 14 June 1993 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
(93/379/EEC)THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, and in particular Article 235 thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,
Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament (1),
Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee (2),
Whereas on 28 July 1989 the Council adopted Decision 89/490/EEC on the improvement of the business environment and the promotion of the development of enterprises, and in particular small and medium-sized enterprises (SHEs), in the Community (3), as  revised by Council Decision 91/319/EEC (4);
Whereas in its resolution of 17 June 1992 on Community action to support enterprises, in particular small and medium-sized enterprises, including craft-industry enterprises (5), the Council confirmed its undertaking to support the consolidation of the  action taken to help enterprises;
Whereas the Council recommended in that resolution that the Commission should press ahead, having regard to the principle of subsidiary, with the action necessary to create an environment favourable to the competitiveness of enterprises, in particular  small and medium-sized enterprises, and to back up their integration into the internal market after 1992; whereas it also requested the Commission to submit before the end of 1992, in the light of the evaluations made, any proposals it deemed necessary  to ensure continuity of the policy towards enterprises;
Whereas the opportunities afforded by the internal market will constitute the greatest business over the next few years, and SMEs must be provided with full information on this aspect of the Community;
Whereas indpendent experts have carried out, pursuant to Article 3 of Decision 91/319/EEC, an evaluation of the results achieved from all aspects of the existing programme; whereas the Commission has submitted the report, together with its comments, to  the European Parliament and the Council;
Whereas the report confirms the appositeness, importance and quality of the entreprises policy the Community has carried out thus far, but makes interesting suggestions concerning the direction of certain measures;
Whereas the evolution of the economic situation calls for an initiative to relaunch growth, to the success of which SMEs have an essential contribution to make, and involves proposing the adoption of a programme of Community measures to assist SMEs  which takes full account of this new priority;
Whereas the European Council meeting in Edinburgh on 11 and 12 December 1992 recognized 'the importance of SMEs for creating employment and stimulating growth'; whereas it agreed to reduce the burdens emanating from Community legislation, accelerate  Community actions in favour of SMEs which have proven their worth at the Community level and take measures that encourage private investment, particularly by SMEs;
Whereas it is necessary to uphold the overall unity of enterprise policy by both strengthening its priority areas as part of the growth initiative and, at the same time, ensuring continuity in other aspects of enterprise policy;
Whereas the Commission has put before the Council a communication on enterprise policy for the Community, entitled 'The enterprises dimension essential to Community growth';
Whereas the Commission has submitted to the Council in the past two years a series of communications on measures for the benefit of SMEs (subcontracting, mutual guarantee systems, participation by SMEs in public contracts, etc.);
Whereas this Decision appies to all forms of enterprise, regardless of sector, size, legal structure (including cooperatives, mutual societies, associations and foundations) and geographical location, but is especially directed at SMEs and enterprise  creators, including enterprises in commerce and the distributive trades, craft enterprises, family firms and young entrepreneurs;
Whereas when defining SMEs it is necessary to follow the guidelines laid down in the Commission communication on SMEs definitions used in the framework of Community actions (SEC(92) 351 final of 29 April 1992);
Whereas SMEs, particularly new enterprises, play an important role in economic activity in general and in regional development, and a fundamental role as regards dynamism, productivity, adaptability and innovation;
Whereas the development of a Community enterprise policy based on real competition assumes particular importance as regards marking the Community economy more competitive and as regards employment growth, economic and social cohesion in the Community  and the continuation of the widening of the market after 1993;
Whereas this policy primarly involves the improvement of the administrative, legal and fiscal environment of enterprises, the intensification and wider distribution of Community information for enterprises, the stimulation of cooperation and partnership  between enterprises, and the promotion and coordination of Community instruments to assist enterprises, particularly SMEs;
Whereas the possibility offered to SMEs under the Structural Funds and Community research and development programmes and various other Community programmes such as those concerning public contracts should be improved and better used;
Whereas the effectiveness of the action programme could be increased by regular contacts between the Commission and employers' organizations; whereas in this context SMEs should be encouraged to improve their representation at European level;
Whereas, however, many measures to assist enterprises are carried out at Member State level, and Community measures should attempt to complement these;
Whereas in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity the Community, in the context of the action programme, shall take action only if the objectives of the proposed action cannot be sufficiently achieved by the Member States and can therefore be  better achieved by the Community;
Whereas the resources and measures implemented by the Community in the context of the action programme must be in proportion to the objective to be achieved;
Whereas it is therefore necessary to adopt a programme for a period up to 31 December 1996 and to endow it with sufficient financial resources to atteint its objectives of growth stimulation, job creation and social and econmic cohesion in the  Community;
Whereas the Treaty does not provide, for the adoption of this Decision, powers other than those laid down in Article 235,