Consultative Committee of the ECSC: Operating budget for 1994; restructuring; social and research aid
A Resolution of the Consultative Committee of the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) calls on the Commission to implement the social measures announced in the draft ECSC operating budget for 1994 without, however, noticeably cutting research expenditure. The Consultative Committee underlines that the complex nature of the financial prospect, which is decisive for the future, requires thorough examination. It also draws the Commission's attention to the serious crisis and the structural changes which the coal and steel industries are undergoing. In this context the Committee calls for social measures for these industries to be defined promptly and for assistance to be organized from General Community instruments in the social field to accompany the restructuring process. However, though aware of the seriousness of the ECSC's budgetary situation, the Committee cannot accept that the implementation of such measures should lead to a sharp reduction in industrial and social research aid. It again expresses its opinion in favour of the transfer of conversion loans with interest rate subsidies to the European Investment Bank (EIB). The Resolution also expresses the Committee's regret at the lack of information on the possibilities for the genuine inclusion of coal and steel research activities in the general research programmes of the European Union. The Consultative Committee bases this Resolution (adopted at the 311th session of 17.12.1993) on a consideration of the draft ECSC budget for 1994 (SEC(93) 1762), the Commission's communication to the Council on the future of the ECSC Treaty: borrowing/lending activity (COM(93) 512), and the Commission working document updating the communication to the Council on the future of the ECSC Treaty: financial activities (SEC(93) 1596).