No L 192/18 Official Journal of the European Communities 16. 7. 91 COUNCIL DECISION of 7 June 1991 adopting a specific programme of research and technological development in the field of telematic systems in areas of general interest (1990 to 1994) (91/353/EEC) THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, and in particular Article 130a (2) thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission (H, In cooperation with the European Parliament (2), Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee (3), Whereas, by Decision 90/221/Euratom, EEC (*), the Council adopted a third framework programme for Community activities in the field of research and technological development (1990 to 1994), specifying inter alia the activities to be pursued for developing the scientific knowledge and technical know-how needed by the Community, in particular to carry out its role in the field of telematic systems in areas of general interest; whereas this Decision should be taken in the light of the grounds set out in the preamble to that Decision; Whereas Article 130k of the Treaty stipulates that the framework programme shall be implemented through . specific programmes developed within each activity; Whereas basic research must be encouraged as far as is necessary throughout the Community in each strategic sector of research in the framework programme; Whereas in addition to the specific programme concerning human resources and mobility, it might be necessary to encourage the training of research workers in the context of this programme; . Whereas, in the context of this programme, an assessment should be made of economic and social impact as well as of any technological risks; Whereas, pursuant to Article 4 of and Annex I to Directive 90/221/Euratom, EEC, the amount deemed necessary for the whole framework programme includes an (1) O] No C 174, 16. 7. 1990, p. 19. (2) O] No C 324, 24. 12. 1990, p.271; and O] No C 158, 17. 6. 1991. (3 OJ No C 41, 18. 2. 1991, p. 6. (%) OJ No L 117, 8. 5. 1990, p. 28. amount of ECU 57 million for the centralized dissemination and exploitation of results, to be divided up in proportion to the amount envisaged for each specific programme; Whereas Decision 90/221/Euratom, EEC provides that a particular aim of Community research must be to strengthen the scientific and technological basis of European irdustry, particularly in strategic sectors of advanced technology, and to encourage it to become more competitive at the international level; whereas it also provides that Community action is justified where research contributes, inter alia, to the strengthening of the economic and social cohesion of the Community and to the promotion of its overall harmonious development, while being consistent with the pursuit of scientific and technical excellence; whereas the programme of research in the field of telematic systems should contribute to the achievement of these objectives; Whereas small and medium-sized enterprises should be involved to the maximum extent possible in this programme; whereas account should be taken of their special requirements without prejudice to the scientific and technical quality of the programme; Whereas research/development in the field of telematic systems in areas of general interest will contribute to the successful completion of the internal market and at the same time improve the performance of large public services facing, throughout the Community, the new technological, social and economic challenges which are implied by European integration; Whereas it is important, when projects are selected, to ensure that data are protected and confidentiality maintained; Whereas the Scientific and Technical Research Committee (Crest) has been consulted, HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: Article 1 - A specific research and technological development programme for the European Economic Community in the field of telematic systems in areas of general interest, as defined in Annex I, is hereby adopted for a period beginning on 7 June 1991 and ending on 31 December 1994.