21. 1. 88 Official Journal of the European Communities t No L 16/35 (Acts whose publication is not obligatory) COUNCIL COUNCIL DECISION of 14 December 1987 on a Community programme in the field of telecommunications technologies — research and development (R&D) in advanced communications technologies in Europe (RACE programme) (88/28/EEC) THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, and in particular Article 130Q (2) thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission (), In cooperation with the European Parliament (3), Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee (%), Whereas the Community has as its task, by establishing a common market and progressively approximating the economic policies of Member States, inter alia, to promote throughout the Community a harmonious de- velopment of economic activities and closer relations between jthe States belonging to it; Whereas the Heads of State and of Government, meeting in Stuttgart, Athens, Fontainebleau and Brussels, empha- sized the importance of telecommunications as a major source for economic growth and social development; Whereas the European Parliament, in its assessment of the situation and development of telecommunications, stressed the key role of telecommunications for the future political, social and economic development of the Community ; () OJ No C 304, 28. 11. 1986, p. 2. (3 OJ No C 281, 19. 10. 1987, p. 113. Decision of 18 November 1987 (not yet published in the Official _]oumal) () OJ No C 68, 16. 3. 1987, p. 22. * Whereas on 17 December 1984 the Council agreed on the main elements of a Community telecommunications policy in the field of advanced telecommunications services and networks involving actions at Community level ; Whereas, with the emergence of new services and the progressive convergence of telecommunications, data processing and wider public services, the trend is towards a Europe-wide integrated broadband network (Integrated Broadband Communications (IBC)) capable of supporting a wide range of customers and service providers; Whereas developments in telecommunications will benefit the international competitiveness of the European economies in general and of the telecommunications industries in particular; Whereas the option selected for advanced telecommuni- cations technologies must be such that it does not increase regional disparities in the Community ; whereas the development of common specifications for equipment and services is necessary but not sufficient to prevent further divergences in the regional development; Whereas the development of IBC offers a wide range of opportunities for small and medium sized companies in the manufacture of equipment and in the provision of specialized services within the Community ; Whereas, in response to the requirement of using fully the economic and market potential of telecommunica- tions, the Commission has submitted a programme of action which has been recognized by the Council as a base for further work ;