L 333/84 Official Journal of the European Communities 29.12.2000 (Acts whose publication is not obligatory) COUNCIL COUNCIL DECISION of 20 December 2000 on a multiannual programme for enterprise and entrepreneurship, and in particular for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) (2001-2005) (2000/819/EC) THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 157(3) thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission (%), Having regard to the Opinion of the European Parliament (%), Having regard to the Opinion of the Economic and Social Committee (%), Having regard to the Opinion of the Committee of the Regions (%), Whereas: (1)  The importance of enterprise and entrepreneurship for the achievement of Community objectives and the diffi- culties faced by enterprises and entrepreneurs have been the subject of a number of communications, Decisions and reports, and most recently of the Commission Communication of 26 April 2000 on ‘enterprise policy in the knowledge-driven economy’. These have identified major areas for action at Community level. )  Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) make a significant contribution in terms of competitiveness, research, innovation, skills and employment and face particular problems. (3)  Action is required to help overcome these difficulties. A series of Programmes, particularly the Third Multiannual Programme for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in the European Union (1997-2000), adopted by () O] C 311, 31.10.2000, p. 180. (¥ Opinion delivered on 26 October 2000 (not yet published in the Official Journal). (*) Opinion delivered on 29 November 2000 (not yet published in the Official Journal). (*) Opinion delivered on 21 September 2000 (not yet published in the Official Journal). Council Decision 97/15/EC (°), which expires on 31 December 2000, have provided a framework for such action. 4  On 29 June 1999, the Commission reported in its Communication to the European Parliament, the Council, the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions on the external evaluation of the said programme. (5) It is necessary to adopt a further programme for the period beginning 1 January 2001 and to ensure that enterprise policy is endowed with sufficient resources to attain its objectives. (6)  On 9 November 1999, the Council approved a report on the integration of sustainable development in the enterprise policy of the European Union. Account should be taken of sustainable development when defining and implementing the measures to be adopted under this programme. (7  On 20 June 2000, the Santa Maria da Feira European Council approved the European Charter for Small Enter- prises and requested its full implementation in particular as part of the proposals for the Multiannual Programme for Enterprise and Entrepreneurship. Measures by the Union to promote SMEs should take account of the objectives set out in the Charter. (8)  Similar actions have been launched in the framework of the OECD, and in particular with the Charter on policies concerning SMEs adopted by the OECD Ministers for Industry in Bologna on 15 June 2000. () O] L 6, 10.1.1997, p. 25.