31. 12. 82 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 346/13
the abovementioned 'environment' will be taken into
account in the implementation of the promotion
measures in the second part of the Council Decision -
in so far as is possible and expedient under the
particular circumstances.
2. Specific comments
2.1. Since the resources allocated (about 5 % of the
funding for national programmes in Europe) are
relatively small, it is absolutely essential that they be
concentrated to a large degree on a few key areas if they
are to give an effective stimulus to further development.
The emphasis must be placed on projects which are
inadequately covered by national programmes since they
are intended to further the common market. In the
Committee's view this precondition is met by the
proposed projects.
2.2. The further development of programming
languages, international standardization in particular, is
a matter of priority for the software industry over the next
few years. The programming language ADA offers
excellent prospects, particularly for systems
programming. The Committee would, however, point
out that previous work in particular sectors of industry
should play a special part in the selection of projects, in
order to enhance efficiency. For the same reason national
developments should be monitored and taken into
account in the promotion plans.
2.3. The financial aid must be used to ensure that the
results of the assisted projects are documented and
disseminated as quickly as possible so that industry and
science have access to them and can use them. In the case
of pilot applications, special encouragement should be
given to projects involving the training of instructors to
train EDP specialists.
2.4. The Committee endorses the promotion and
development of cross-frontier information systems as
they are an important precondition for the exchange of
information within the Community and thus for greater
integration of the national economies.
2.5. As far as the choice of terminals is concerned, the
ergonomic aspect and user convenience should figure in
the development work. This will provide special
opportunities to pursue further the items in the first part
of the programme (sector 'environment') (cf. point 1.5 of
this opinion).
2.6. The Committee attaches key importance to the
solution of the problem of data security, especially in the
case of distributed data bases for public health. The
complete confidentiality of personal data should be
guaranteed before there is any participation in the
project.
2.7. It is anticipated that before any decision is taken
on support for application projects, a careful
examination will be made of current requirements so as to
avoid misinvestment.
Done at Brussels, 25 November 1982.
The Chairman
of the Economic and Social Committee
Francois CEYRAC
Opinion on the proposal for a Council Decision on a preparatory phase for a Community
research and development programme in the field of information technologies
The text referred to the Committee has been published in Official Journal of the European
Communities No C 314 of 30 November 1982, page 44.
A. LEGAL BASIS FOR THE OPINION
On 16 November 1982 the Council referred the abovementioned proposal to the Economic
and Social Committee in accordance with Article 198 of the Treaty establishing the European
Economic Community.
No C 346/14 Official Journal of the European Communities 31. 12 ,82
B. OPINION OF THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE
The Economic and Social Committee prepared its opinion on the above matter at its
202nd plenary session held in Brussels on 24 and 25 November 1982.
The full text of the opinion is as follows:
THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European
Economic Community, and in particular Article 198
thereof,
Having regard to the request made by the Council of the
European Communities on 16 November 1982 for an
opinion on the proposal for a Council Decision on a
preparatory phase for a Community research and
development programme in the field of information
technologies,
Having regard to its decision of 25 November 1982 to
appoint Mr Nierhaus as rapporteur-general (Article 18 of
the Rules of Procedure),
Having regard to Article 46 of its Rules of Procedure,
Having regard to the oral report made by
Mr Nierhaus,
Having regard to the discussions on 25 November during
the 202nd plenary session held on 24 and 25 November
1982,
HAS ADOPTED THE FOLLOWING OPINION
with two dissenting votes:
1. The Economic and Social Committee welcomes the
Commission plan to implement a European Strategic
Programme for Research and Development in
Information Technologies (Esprit). It accordingly
endorses the draft Council Decision setting up an R & D
programme comprising 16 pilot projects, as a
preparatory phase of Esprit.
2. The Committee has always supported this type of
measure, from the Community science and technology
projects of 1974 to the action programmes of the last few
years, designed to build up new communications and
information technologies.
3. The Committee's belief in the importance of the
new technologies is based on the recognition that:
— they will produce major changes in economic
structures and production processes,
— their economic and social effects must therefore be
considered in good time, and
— they are above all crucial to the competitiveness of
Community industry in the short and long term.
4. The Committee may produce a detailed opinion on
Esprit when concrete information is available on the
technical details of the whole programme.
5. The Committee endorses the Council Decision
under review on the grounds that it is a major step
towards the proposed introduction of Esprit, and will
help to ensure that Esprit can be launched by early
1984.
Done at Brussels, 25 November 1982.
The Chairman
of the Economic and Social Committee
Francois CEYRAC
Full & Egal Universal Law Academy