Specific programme for the modernization of the textile andclothing industry (financial assistance for Portugal)

The Committee welcomed the draft Council Regulation and noted that it referred back to Commission communication 94/C/180/04 of 15 June 1994. The comments in the Committee’s Opinion on this proposal [(1) Doc. ESC 761/94 (‘Community initiatives’, OJ C 295 of 22.10.1994)] still held true, notwithstanding the change in the legal basis for the proposal whose objective was still to promote economic and social cohesion. The Committee noted the importance of complying with national legislation on labour conditions and deemed it essential to secure effective involvement of regional and local authorities and the economic and social partners in preparing, carrying out and assessing the proposed measures, in accordance with Article 4 of the Framework Regulation on the Structural Funds, also referred to in the present proposal.