3.7. 84 Official Journal of the European Communities No L 176/1 (Acts whose publication is obligatory) COUNCIL REGULATION (EEC) No 1872/84 of 28 June 1984 on action by the Community relating to the environment THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, and in particular Article 235 thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commis- sion ('), Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament (?), Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee (%), Whereas, pursuant to Article 2 of the Treaty the Community has as its task inter alia to promote throughout the Community a harmonious develop- ment of economic activities, a continuous and balanced expansion and an increase in stability ; Whereas in its declaration of 22 November 1973 (%) the Council adopted an action programme of the Euro- pean Communities on the environment which was continued and extended on 17 May 1977 (%) ; whereas, in their resolution of 7 February 1983, the Council and the representatives of the Governments of the Member States meeting within the Council approved the general guidelines of an action programme of the European Communities on the environment (1982 to 1986) (°) ; Whereas, in order to ensure that the objectives formu- lated in this action programme are fully realized, it is necessary that the Community should contribute financially towards the carrying out of certain specific measures ; OJ No C 30, 4. 2. 1983, p. &. O] No C 128, 16. 5. 1983, p. 88. O] No C 176, 4. 7. 1983, p. 1. ) O] No C 112, 20. 12. 1973, p. 1. 9 O] No C 139, 13. 6. 1977, p. 1. ) O] No C 46, 17. 2. 1983, p. 1. Whereas the development of clean technologies is a particularly appropriate way of ensuring a preventive reduction in pollution and a more careful use of natural resources in the most economically sensible fashion ; Whereas the development of clean technologies is likely to have a positive effect on innovation and employment ; Whereas use should be made of certain results of the Community research and development programmes relating to the environment (") and raw materials (%) ; Whereas experience has shown that it is necessary to encourage the development of new techniques and methods for monitoring the quality of the natural environment ; Whereas it is appropriate that the Community should be able to make a contribution towards the mainte- nance and re-establishment of seriously treatened biotopes, which are the habitat of endangered species, pursuant to Council Directive 79/409/EEC of 2 April 1979 on the conservation of wild birds (°); Whereas it is necessary that the Community should, within the limits of the budget funds available, grant financial support for projects relating to clean techno- logies and to methods for monitoring the quality of the natural environment and for schemes for the conservation of nature protection areas of Community importance in connection with the implementation of Directive 79/409/EEC ; Whereas an Advisory Committee should be set up to assist the Commission in selecting the projects for which financial support may be granted; () OJ No L 101, 11. 4. 1981, p. 1. () OJ No L 174, 21. 6. 1982, p. 23. () OJ No L 103, 25. 4. 1979, p. 1.