No L 117/28 ‘Official Journal of the European Communities 8.5.90 COUNCIL DECISION of 23 April 1990 conoenung the framework programme of Commumty activities in the field of research and technological dcvclopmcnt (1990 to 1994) (90/221/Euratom, EEC) THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, and in particular Article 130q (1) thereof, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Atomic Energy Community, and in particular - Amcle7 : thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission (1), Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament (?), Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee (3), Whereas the Single European Act incorporated a Title VI (Articles 130f to 130q) into the EEC Treaty; whereas that Title constitutes a new legal basis for Community activities in the field of- research -and technological development; whereas, in particular, Article 130f lays down that the Community’s aim - is- to strengthen the scientific and technological basis of European industry and to encourage it to become more-competitive at international level; Whereas it is necessary for the- Community to encourage enterprises, including small and medium-sized undertakings, research centres and universities in their research and technological development activities and, in ordet to achieve that, to support their efforts to cooperate with one another by appropriate measures; i ‘Whereas . it is recognized ‘that small and medium-sized - undertakings are able to make a significant contribution to the innovative process and should play a substantial role in  the implementation of Community research - and technological development activities, thereby contributing to the improvement of industrial competitiveness on a broader basis; whereas, therefore, particular attention should be paid to the specific needs of these undertakings in order to encourage their access to information, their effective participation in Community programmes and their ability to exploit the results of Community research; (T) OJ NO C 243, 23. 9. 1989, p. 4. . (3) O] NO C 15, 22. 1. 1990, p. 356. " (3) O] NO C 56, 7. 3. 1990, p. 34. Whereas under Article 130i all the Community activities referred to in Article 130g should be set out in a multiannual framewerk programme; Whereas, following an initial framework programme for the. period 1984 to 1987, a second framework programme for the period -1987 to 1991.was adopted by Decision 87/516/Euratom, EEC(*) amended by Decision 88/193/EEC, Euratom (%), and is in the process of being implemented; whereas. it should ‘be possible to continue implementing it, for specific programmes which have not yet been adopted, even after adoption of the third framework programme for the period 1990 to 1994; Whereas the Commission submitted a communication on ‘a framework - for Community research- and technological development actions in the 1990s’ on 13 June 1989; Whereas, in addition, pursuant to Article 4 of Decision 87/516/Euratom, EEC, the Commission has examined and assessed progress in carrying out the second framework | programme, in particular through an-evaluation report prepared by a group of independent experts; Whereas, in view of the rapid pace of technological development, . new economic challenges which the Community must meet,- the increased level of global competition and the need to keep in view the horizon beyond 1992, Community activities in the field of research and technological "development must. be intensified and augmented; whereas, in the light of these factors, it has been - " judged appropriate to adopt a new framework programme for the period 1990 to 1994 developing out of the current framework programme 1987 to 1991; Whereas the Community’s activities must be based on the principle of subsidiarity, and whereas the Community’s activities in the field of research and technological development must thus provide added value in relation to. activities carried out at national and other levels; Whereas efforts should be focused on a limited number of activities corresponding to the strategic objectives laid down in the framework programme; B () OJNO L 302, 24. 10. 1982, p. 1. () OJNO L 89, 6. 4. 1988, p. 35.