10. 1. 97 Official Journal of the European Communities No L 6/25 (Acts whose publication is not obligatory) COUNCIL COUNCIL DECISION of 9 December 1996 on a third multiannual programme for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the European Union (1997 to 2000) (97/15/EC) THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 130 (3) thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission ('), Having regard to the opinion of the European Par- liament (3), Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee (%), Having regard to the opinion of the Committee of the Regions (%), 1. Whereas on 10 October 1994 the Council adopted a resolution on giving full scope to the dynamism and innovatory potential of small and medium-sized enterprises, including the craft sector and micro- enterprises, in a competitive economy (*); 2. Whereas on 21 November 1994 the Council adopted a resolution on the strengthening of the competitive- ness of Community industry (%) 3. Whereas on 27 November 1995 the Council adopted a resolution on small and medium-sized industrial enterprises (SMEs) and technological innovation (); 4. Whereas on 22 April 1996 the Council adopted a resolution on the coordination of Community ac- (') OJ No C 156, 31. 5. 1996, p. S. (® OJ No C 320, 28. 10. 1996, p. 153. () OJ No C 295, 7. 10. 1996, p. 6. {*) Opinion delivered on 19 September 1996 (not yet published in the Official Journal). () O) No C 294,722. 10. 1994, p. 6. () OJ No C 343, 6. 12. 1994, p. 1. () OJ No C 341, 19. 12. 1995, p. 3. tivites in favour of small and medium-sized enter- prises and the craft sector (5); 5. Whereas on 14 June 1993 the Council adopted De- cision 93/379/EEC on a multiannual programme of Community measures to intensify the priority areas. and to ensure the continuity and consolidation of policy for enterprise, in particular small and med- ium-sized enterprises, in the Community (%) 6. Whereas the Commission has submitted reports on measures arising from that Decision; 7. Whereas the Commission submitted to the European Parliament, the Council and the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions an external evaluation report on the implementation of the current multiannual programme pursuant to Article 5 of Decision 93/379/EEC; 8. Whereas on 3 June 1994 in line with its White Paper on Growth, competitiveness and employment, the Commission adopted a communication on the imple- mentation of an integrated programme in favour of SMEs and the craft sector aimed in particular at presenting the overall Community enterprise policy; 9. Whereas on 29 November 1995 the Commission adopted a report on ‘SMEs: a dynamic source of employment, growth and competitiveness in the European Union’, which it submitted to the Madrid No C 130, 3. 5. 1996, p. 1. N o L 161, 2. 7. 1993, p. 68.