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Whereas Article 13 of Regulation (EEC) No 724/75 (hereinafter referred to as "the Fund Regulation") provides, independently of the national allocation of resources laid down by Article 2 (3) (a) of that Regulation, for participation by the Fund in financing specific Community regional development measures which are linked with Community policies and with measures adopted by the Community, in order to take better account of their regional dimension or to reduce their regional consequences; Whereas the Member State concerned has provided the Commission with information on regional problems which might be the subject of a specific Community measure; Whereas the Fund's resources are allocated with due regard to the relative severity of regional imbalance within the Community; Whereas the negotiations on the accession of Portugal and Spain to the Community were opened on 17 October 1978 and 15 February 1979, respectively; Whereas the southern regions of the Community could be affected by its enlargement, particularly because of increased competition in markets for certain agricultural products and because of problems involved in adapting their economic fabric;

Whereas, among these regions, the Mezzogiorno and the three regions of France adjacent to Spain are already benefiting, in this context, from a specific Community regional development measure instituted by Council Regulation (EEC) No 2615/80 of 7 October 1980 instituting a specific Community regional development measure contributing to the development of certain French and Italian regions in the context of Community enlargement (6), as amended by Regulation (EEC) No 214/84 (7); Whereas, in addition, Greece has been a member of the Community since 1 January 1981 ; whereas the development of some of that country's regions could also be adversely affected by the future enlargement of the Community to include Portugal and Spain; Whereas this is particularly the case with the Greek islands, which are characterized by a very high dependence for employment on agriculture, which is itself heavily dependent on Mediterranean products, by a very weak economic structure and, furthermore, by their remoteness from the centres of economic activity owing to their particular geographical position;

Whereas it is in the Community's interest that the enlargement process should take place harmoniously ; whereas it is therefore necessary, even before the accessions become effective, to undertake vigorous structural measures in order that these regions may be able to adapt to enlargement ; whereas it is appropriate that the Community should make a special contribution to measures to be undertaken to this end by the Member State concerned by (1) OJ No L 73, 21.3.1975, p.

1.

(2) OJ No L 349, 23.12.1980, p.

10.

(3) OJ No C 15, 19.1.1983, p.

10.

(4) OJ No C 184, 10.6.1983, p.

163.

(5) OJ No C 124, 9.5.1983, p.

2.

(6) OJ No L 271, 15.12.1980, p.

1.

(7) See page 1 of this Official Journal. instituting a specific Community regional development measure on behalf of these regions; Whereas other assistance from Community Funds, capable of being usefully combined, should be given in these regions;

Whereas the measures provided for in Regulation (EEC) No 2615/80 can be applied effectively in these regions ; whereas, furthermore, if the economic base of these regions is to be strengthened, and in particular if outlets are to be found for their agricultural products, it is vital to set up or improve air or sea transport links between these regions and mainland Greece and between the regions themselves, particularly in the case of small or remote islands, through the provision of transport infrastructures and the development of transport services; Whereas the conservation of the environment, particularly through the improvement of water quality monitoring installations and waste treatment plant, is necessary if tourist activities are to be developed in those regions; Whereas the Community measure must be implemented in the form of a special multiannual programme ; whereas the Commission, in approving this programme, must satisfy itself that the operations planned thereunder comply with this Regulation;

Whereas, in order that Greece may benefit fully from the specific measure, it is appropriate to provide that the expenditure connected with the measures envisaged and carried out by that country pending the adoption of this Regulation, during the year preceding its adoption, be, by way of an exception, deemed eligible; Whereas the special programme must respond to certain objectives encompassed by the regional development programmes provided for under Article 6 of the Fund Regulation; Whereas the Commission must verify that the special programme is properly carried out by examining the annual reports which the Member State concerned will present to it for this purpose; Whereas the Council, the European Parliament and the Economic and Social Committee must be informed regularly on the implementation of this Regulation, HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: