No L 224/10 Official Journal of the European Communities 2.8.89 (Acts whose publication is not obligatory) COUNCIL COUNCIL DECISION of 18 July 1989 establishing a medium-term Community action programme concerning the economic and social integration of the economically and socially less privileged groups in society (89/457/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 (1), Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament (2), Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee (3), ’ Whereas, under Article 2 of the Treaty, the task of the Community is to' promote throughout the Community a harmonious development of economic activities, a continuous and balanced expansion, an increase in stability, an accelerated raising of the standard of living and closer - relations-between the States belonging to it; Whereas by its Decision 85/8/EEC of 19 December 1985 (4) the Council authorized the Commission to implement specific Community action to combat poverty which came to an end on 31 December 1988; whereas this action should be continued and broadened; Whereas in order to attain the abovementioned goal the improvement of standards of living in each- Member State should be- shared by the economically and socially less privileged in each Member State; (1) O] No C 60, 9.-3.1989, p. 11.- (2) O] No C 158, 26. 6. 1989. - (3) OJ No C 159, 26. 6. 1989, p. 13. () O] No L 2, 3.1.1985, p. 24. Whereas insecurity in relation to employment, a phenomenon which has grown in recent years, is also incompatible with this goal; Whereas national economic and  social policies and Community. action in the field of employment can, by attacking the structural causes of this economic and social exclusion, make an effective contribution to the fight against it; Whereas, irrespective of the measures- which may bé taken under the various Community policies to foster the economic and social integration of groups in society at risk of becoming econoinically and socially less privileged, there is a need for more specific-action to attain the abovementioned goal; Whereas-it is necessary, in-order to ensure economic and social cohesion, to take preventive measures against any short-term negative effects of completion of the large market on the social groups most at risk and to optimize corrective measures for the groups already marginalized; ‘ Whereas exchanges-of information -and experience and consultation between the Member States and the . Commission on action to combat the exclusion of the least privileged members of society are essential to this economic and social cohesion of the Community; - Whereas the Treaty does not provide for the action concerned, powers other than those of Article 235,