No L 210/24 Official Journal of the European Communities 7. 8. 85 (Acts whose publication is not obligatory) COUNCIL COUNCIL DECISION of 25 July 1985 on a definition phase for a telecommunications technologies — Community action in the field of R & D programme in advanced communications technologies for Europe (RACE) (85/372/EEC) 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 Commission, Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament (1), Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee (%), Whereas the Community has as its task, by estab- lishing a common market and progressively approxi- mating the economic policies of Member States inter alia to promote throughout the Community a har- monious development of economic activities and closer relations between the Member States ; Whereas the Heads of State or of Government, meeting in Stuttgart, Athens, Fontainebleau and Brus- sels, emphasized the importance of telecommunica- tions as a major source for economic growth and social development ; Whereas the European Parliament, in its assessment of the situation and development of telecommunications, stressed the key role of telecommunications for the future political, social and economic development of the Community ; Whereas on 17 December 1984 the Council agreed on the main elements of a Community telecommunica- o C 175, 15. 7. 1985. o C 188, 29. 7. 1985, p. 16. 00 S ZZ tions policy, including the objective of developing advanced telecommunications services and networks by actions at Community level ; Whereas, with the emergence of new services and the progressive convergence of telecommunications, data processing and entertainment, the evolution may develop towards a Europe-wide integrated broadband network (integrated broadband communications, IBC) capable of supporting a wide range of customers and service providers ; Whereas developments in telecommunications will benefit the international competitiveness of the Euro- pean economies in general and of the telecommunica- tions industries in particular ; Whereas, in response to the requirement of using fully the economic and market potential of telecommunica- tions, the Commission has submitted a programme of action which has been recognized as a base for further work by the Council ; Whereas R & D can make a major contribution, notably by facilitating the evolution towards future integrated broadband communications in terms of transnational connections, and also at regional and local levels ; Whereas the Council approved, in its resolution of 25 July 1983 (), the principle of framework programmes for Community research, development and demonstra- () OJ No C 208, 4. 8. 1983, p. 1.