COUNCIL OF THE EN

14865/07(Presse259)

PRESS RELEASE

2832ndCouncilmeeting

Competitiveness (Internal Market, Industry and Research)

Brussels,2223November2007

President Mr Manuel PINHO MinisterforEconomyandInnovation, Mr Mariano GAGO MinisterforScience,TechnologyandHigherEducation, Mr João Tiago SILVEIRA SecretaryofStateforJustice of

P R E S S

RuedelaLoi175B–1048BRUSSELSTel.:+32(0) 22816083/6319Fax:+32(0)22818026 [email protected] http://www.consilium.europa.eu/Newsroom 14865/07(Presse259) 1 EN 22.23.XI.2007

Main results of the Council

The Council adopted conclusions on competitiveness (under an integrated approach) and on a simplified business environment for EU companies in the areas of company law, accounting and auditing.

TheCouncilreachedapoliticalagreementonadraftRegulationestablishingthe European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) .

TheCouncilagreedonageneralapproachonfourproposalsaimedatestablishing joint technology initiatives (JTIs) inthefieldsof:innovativemedicines,embeddedcomputingsystems, nanoelectronictechnologiesandaeronautics.

TheCounciladoptedconclusionsonthe future of science and technology ,on scientific information andon nanoscience .Italsoapprovedaresolution on modernising universities for Europe'scompetitiveness.

Finally,theCouncilagreedonageneralapproachfortheparticipationoftheCommunityona researchprogrammeaimedatenhancingthe quality of life of older people throughtheuseofnew technologies.

14865/07(Presse259) 2 EN 22.23.XI.2007

CONTENTS 1

PARTICIPANTS...... 5

ITEMS DEBATED

COMPETITIVENESS/INTEGRATEDAPPROACH–Council conclusions ...... 7

SIMPLIFIEDBUSINESSENVIRONMENTFORCOMPANIESINTHEAREASOF COMPANYLAW,ACCOUNTINGANDAUDITING–Council conclusions ...... 19

AGENDAFORASUSTAINABLEANDCOMPETITIVEEUROPEANTOURISM– Council conclusions ...... 21

BETTERREGULATION ...... 24

INTELLECTUALPROPERTY:EUROPEANPATENTLITIGATIONSYSTEM...... 25

REVISIONOFTHE"TIMESHAREDIRECTIVE"...... 26

EUROPEANINSTITUTEOFINNOVATIONANDTECHNOLOGY...... 27

JOINTTECHNOLOGYINITIATIVES...... 28

RESEARCHPROGRAMMEONQUALITYOFLIFEFOROLDERPEOPLE...... 30

THEFUTUREOFSCIENCEANDTECHNOLOGYINEUROPE– Council conclusions ...... 31

SCIENTIFICINFORMATIONINTHEDIGITALAGE–Council conclusions ...... 37

MODERNISINGUNIVERSITIESFOREUROPE'SCOMPETITIVENESS–Council Resolution ...... 44

NANOSCIENCESANDNANOTECHNOLOGIES–Council conclusions ...... 51

ANYOTHERBUSINESS ...... 54

1  Wheredeclarations,conclusionsorresolutionshavebeenformallyadoptedbytheCouncil,thisisindicated intheheadingfortheitemconcernedandthetextisplacedbetweenquotationmarks.  DocumentsforwhichreferencesaregiveninthetextareavailableontheCouncil'sInternetsite (http://www.consilium.europa.eu).  ActsadoptedwithstatementsfortheCouncilminuteswhichmaybereleasedtothepublicareindicatedby anasterisk;thesestatementsareavailableontheCouncil'sInternetsiteormaybeobtainedfromthePress Office. 14865/07(Presse259) 3 EN 22.23.XI.2007

OTHER ITEMS APPROVED

DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION

– Togo–ConsultationsundertheACPEUagreement ...... 56

FISHERIES

– PartnershipagreementwithMozambique...... 56

JUSTICE AND HOME AFFAIRS

– EU/Moldova–Visafacilitationandreadmissionagreement...... 57

COMMON FOREIGN AND SECURITY POLICY

– Côted'Ivoire–Renewalofrestrictivemeasures ...... 57

– Iraq–EUmissionEUJUSTLEX...... 57

EXTERNAL RELATIONS

– ParticipationintheKoreanPeninsulaEnergyDevelopmentOrganisation ...... 58

RESEARCH

– Switzerland–InternationalScienceandTechnologyCentre...... 58

TRANSPORT

– ConventiononaCodeofConductforLinerConferences ...... 58

TAXATION

– EUprogramme"Fiscalis2013"...... 59

14865/07(Presse259) 4 EN 22.23.XI.2007

PARTICIPANTS

ThegovernmentsoftheMemberStatesandtheEuropeanCommissionwererepresentedasfollows:

Belgium: MsPatriciaCEYSENS FlemishMinisterforEconomicAffairs,Enterprise, Science,InnovationandForeignTrade MsMarieDominiqueSIMONET MinisterforResearch,NewTechnologiesandExternal Relations,WalloonRegion Bulgaria: MsDanielVassilevVALTCHEV DeputyPrimeMinisterandMinisterforEducationand Science MsNinaRADEVA DeputyMinisterfortheEconomyandEnergy Czech Republic: MrMilanHOVORKA DeputyMinisterforIndustryandTrade MrJanKOCOUREK DeputyMinisterforEducation,YouthandSport Denmark: MrJensKISLING DeputyPermanentRepresentative Germany: MrJoachimWUERMELING StateSecretary,FederalMinistryofEconomicAffairsand Technology MrLutzDIWELL StateSecretary,FederalMinistryofJustice MrMichaelTHIELEN StateSecretary,FederalMinistryofEducationand Research Estonia: MrTiitNABER DeputyPermanentRepresentative Ireland: MrMichaelAHERN MinisterofStateattheDepartmentofEnterprise,Trade andEmploymentwithspecialresponsibilityforTradeand Commerce Greece: MrChristosFOLIAS MinisterforDevelopment Spain: MsMercedesCABRERACALVOSOTELO MinisterforEducationandScience France: MsValériePÉCRESSE MinisterforHigherEducationandResearch MrJeanPierreJOUYET MinisterofState,MinistryofForeignandEuropean Affairs Italy: MrPierluigiBERSANI MinisterforEconomicDevelopment MrFabioMUSSI MinisterforUniversitiesandResearch MsEmmaBONINO Ministerwithoutportfolio,MinisterforEuropeanPolicy andInternationalTrade Cyprus: MrEfstathiosHAMBOULLAS PermanentSecretary Latvia: MrKasparsGERHARDS StateSecretary,MinistryofEconomicAffairs Lithuania: MrVytasNAVICKAS MinisterfortheEconomy MsVirginijaBŪDIENö DeputyMinisterforEducationandScience Luxembourg: MrFrançoisBILTGEN MinisterforLabourandEmployment,Ministerfor Culture,HigherEducationandResearch,Ministerfor ReligiousAffairs

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Hungary: MrGézaEGYED StateSecretarywithspecialresponsibility,Ministryof EconomicAffairsandTransport Malta: MrCensuGALEA MinisterforCompetitivenessandCommunications Netherlands: MsMariavanderHOEVEN MinisterforEconomicAffairs Austria: MrMartinBARTENSTEIN FederalMinisterforEconomicAffairsandLabour MrJohannesHAHN FederalMinisterforScienceandResearch Poland: Mr WaldemarPAWLAK DeputyPrimeMinister,MinisterforEconomy MrOlafGAJL DeputyStateSecretary,MinistryofScienceandHigher Education Portugal: MrJoséMARIANOGAGO MinisterforScience,TechnologyandHigherEducation MrManuelPINHO MinisterforEconomicAffairsandInnovation MrAntónioCASTROGUERRA StateSecretaryforIndustryandInnovation,attachedto theMinisterforEconomicAffairsandInnovation MrJoãoTiagoSILVEIRA StateSecretaryforJustice MrBernandoTRINDADE StateSecretaryforTourism Romania: MrAntonANTON StateSecretaryforResearch,PresidentoftheNational AuthorityforScientificResearch,MinistryofEducation andResearch Slovenia: MsMojcaKUCLERDOLINAR MinisterforHigherEducation,ScienceandTechnology MrGregorVIRANT MinisterforPublicAdministration MrAndrejVIZJAK MinisterfortheEconomy Slovakia: MrJozefHABÁNIK StateSecretaryattheMinistryofEducation Finland: MrMauriPEKKARINEN MinisterforTradeandIndustry Sweden: MsEwaBJÖRLING MinisterforTrade MrPeterHONETH StateSecretarytotheMinisterforHigherEducationand Research MrJöranHÄGGLUND StateSecretarytotheMinisterforEnterpriseandEnergy United Kingdom: MrIanPEARSON MinisterofState,DepartmentforInnovation,Universities andSkills MrStephenTIMMS MinisterofState,DepartmentforBusiness,Enterprise andRegulatoryReform

Commission: MrGünterVERHEUGEN VicePresident MrCharlieMCCREEVY Member MrJanezPOTOČNIK Member MsMeglenaKUNEVA Member MsVivianeREDING Member

14865/07(Presse259) 6 EN 22.23.XI.2007

ITEMS DEBATED

COMPETITIVENESS / INTEGRATED APPROACH – Council conclusions

TheCounciladoptedthefollowingconclusions:

"THECOUNCILOFTHEEUROPEANUNION

RECALLING

1. The2007SpringEuropeanCouncil,whichcalledonMemberStatesandEUinstitutionsto createbetterframeworkconditionsforinnovation,enhancethebetterregulationagendato createamoredynamicbusinessenvironment,developasustainableintegratedEuropean climateandenergypolicyandinvitedtheCommissiontosubmitanambitiousand comprehensivereviewoftheSingleMarket,withparticularattentiontostimulatingthe potentialofSMEs,includingintheculturalandcreativesectors;

2. TheConclusionsoftheNovember2006CouncillinkingexternalpoliciestotheEU's broadercompetitivenessagenda,aspresentedinthestrategyforgrowthandjobs;

HAVINGREGARDTO

3. ThecontributionoftheCommissiontotheOctoberMeetingofHeadsofStateand Government–TheEuropeanInterest:Succeedingintheageofglobalisation;

4. ThecommunicationfromtheCommissionontheMidTermreviewofIndustrialPolicya contributiontotheEU’sgrowthandjobsstrategy;

5. ThecommunicationfromtheCommissiononEskillsforthe21stCentury,fostering Competitiveness,GrowthandJobs(Eskillsstrategy);

6. ThecommunicationfromtheCommissiononSmallandMediumSizedEnterprises–Key fordeliveringmoregrowthandjobs.AmidtermreviewofModernSMEpolicy;

7. TheEuropeanCompetitivenessReport2007;

STRESSESTHAT

8. ThegoalofmakingtheEUadynamicandcompetitive,knowledgebasedeconomy remainsessentialtoachievingasustainablegrowthwithmoreandbetterjobsandgreater socialcohesion;

9. ThereisaneedformoreintegratedpoliciescontributingtoEuropeancompetitiveness,in thelightofglobalisation,advancesinscienceandtechnologyandenvironmentaland energychallenges,particularlyby:

14865/07(Presse259) 7 EN 22.23.XI.2007

– ensuringabetterfunctioningoftheSingleMarket;

– strengtheningtheknowledgetriangle:R&D,innovationandeducation;

– improvingtheframeworkconditionsforenterprises,stimulatingentrepreneurship andenhancingtheconditionstounlockthefullpotentialofSMEstopromotetheir growthanddevelopment;

– fightingclimatechangeandpromotingthetransitiontoalowcarboneconomy throughanewsustainableapproachtoindustrialpolicy,assetoutinthe2007Spring EuropeanCouncilConclusions;

– furtherenhancingtheexternaldimensionofcompetitiveness;

THEREFORE,INVIEWOFTHENEWCYCLEOFTHELISBONSTRATEGY,THECOUNCIL

10. WELCOMEStheCommission’svisionfortheGrowthandJobsStrategyand CONSIDERSthatthecurrentIntegratedGuidelinesoftheLisbonStrategyremainbroadly relevantandthatthenewcyclewillrepresentthekeyinstrumentfortacklingthecurrent challengesanditshouldassurethenecessarystabilitytodeepenitsimplementation;

11. SHAREStheCommission’sanalysisontheneedtomaintainthefourpriorityareas,as agreedbythe2006SpringEuropeanCouncilfocusingondeliverywithintheexisting governancestructuresandACKNOWLEDGEStheneedtoreinforcecompetitivenessin tacklingfurtherreforms,attheMemberStatesandatcommunitylevel,withintheLisbon StrategyforGrowthandJobs,inparticularinthefollowingpolicyareas:

– EnhancingtheroleofIndustrialPolicy,focusingonfavourableandstable frameworkconditionstoimprovesustainability,technologyandinnovation,toface thechallengesofincreasedinternationalcompetition,technologicalprogress,energy andglobalclimatechange;

– PuttingmoreemphasisonSMEs,takingintoaccounttheirroleasdriversofgrowth andjobcreation,helpingthemtotakefulladvantageoftheglobalisation opportunitiesandpromotingtheircompetitivenessandsustainablegrowth;

– EndorsingtheinvitationssetoutintheCouncilResolutionson“Educationand trainingasakeydriveroftheLisbonStrategy”andon“Newskillsfornewjobs”as wellasdevelopingalifelonglearningstrategyandfocusingontheneedtoaddress eskillsasawayofcontributingtothedevelopmentofanknowledgeintensive productsandservicesandamoreinclusivesociety;

– PromotingtheroleofR&Dandinnovation,includingnontechnologicalinnovation, toencouragethedevelopmentofenterprises’capacitiesandincreasetheir competitiveness;

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– EnsuringanefficientandeffectiveInternalMarket,addressingtheexistingbarriers providingentrepreneurswithasolidfoundationonwhichtoadapttoglobalisation andensuringalevelplayingfieldamongenterprisesacrosstheEUtoencourage,in particularSMEs,toengagemoreincrossborderactivities;

– AcceleratingtheimplementationoftheBetterRegulationAgenda,includingthe reductionofadministrativeburdensinaccordancewiththeConclusionsofthe2007 SpringEuropeanCouncil;

– Developing,withinourcommitmenttoanopenglobaltradingsystem,theexternal dimensionofcompetitiveness,pressingforincreasedopeningupofinternational marketswhichshouldleadtoreciprocalbenefits,strongenforcementofIPRrules, strongeffortstocreateregulatoryconvergencewithourtradingpartners,inorderto createalevelplayingfield,andtransparentandeffectivetradedefenceinstruments;

12. INVITEStheCommission,withinthepartnershipapproachembodiedintherelaunching oftheLisbonstrategy,to:

– takeintoaccounttheabovementionedpolicyareaswhenpresentingthenew CommunityLisbonProgrammewhichshouldcontainthemostimportant CommunitylevelinitiativesforattainingtheobjectivesoftheLisbonStrategyfor GrowthandJobs;

– workcloselywiththeotherinstitutionstoensurethatthekeyproposalsofthenew CommunityLisbonProgrammearegivenpriorityinthedecisionmakingprocess andduringimplementation;

– reportontheprogressachievedinthecontextoftheannualstrategicdebateonthe LisbonStrategyforGrowthandJobs;

ANDSETSUPFURTHERORIENTATIONON

A: industrialpolicy;

B: SMEpolicy;

C: eskillsstrategy;

D: innovationpriorities;

UNDERLININGtheimportanceofhavingcoordinatedactionandclosemonitoringinthesefields;

14865/07(Presse259) 9 EN 22.23.XI.2007

A: CONCERNINGINDUSTRIALPOLICY,THECOUNCILOFTHEEUROPEANUNION

1. RECALLINGtheCommissioncommunicationofOctober2005andthepreviousCouncil conclusionsonindustrialpolicyofMay2006,theconclusionsoftheSpring2007 EuropeanCouncilandtheCommissioncommunicationofOctober2006,ontheexternal aspectsofEurope'scompetitiveness;

2. RECALLINGitspreviousconclusionsonindustrialpolicyofMay2007,whichhave emphasisedtheimportanceofastronganddynamic industrial bas eandstressingtheneed toreinforce industrial policy inordertoachievethegoalsoftheLisbonAgenda;

3. WELCOMEStheCommissioncommunicationontheMidTermreviewofIndustrial Policy,whichtakesintoaccounttheconclusionsoftheEuropeanCouncilofMarch2007 andtheconclusionsonindustrialpolicyofMay2007andNOTEStheprogressmadesince 2005,thecontinuityofthe integrated approach andthenewactionsthathavebeendrawn inresponseto globalisation , advances in science and technology and environmental and energ y challenges ;

4. AGREESthatthemainroleofindustrialpolicyatEUlevelistosetclearlongterm prioritiesandtostrengthenanddeepentherightframeworkconditionsforenterprise developmentandincreasedinnovation,takingintoaccounttheneedsofsmalland mediumsizedenterprises(SMEs)andtheimpactonthedifferentEUindustrialsectors, makingtheEUanattractiveplaceforindustrialinvestmentandjobcreation;

5. EMPHASISEStheobjectiveofmakingEuropeaworldleaderinenvironmentallyfriendly andsociallyacceptablelowcarbonandenergyandresourceefficientproducts, technologiesandservices,encouragingallenterprisestohavethehighestprofileinthose fieldsandtoleadworldwidemarketsandWELCOMEStheCommission’sintentionto presentanactionplanona sustainable industrial policy earlyin2008;

6. UNDERLINESthecrucialimportanceoftheexternalaspectsofcompetitivenessforthe EU’sindustrialperformanceinaglobalisedeconomy,whereEUbasedcompanies competewithcompaniessubjectedtodifferentrulesandthereforeCALLSontheMember StatesandtheCommissiontotakefurtheraction,inwhatconcernstheEuropeanand internationalRegulatoryFrameworkandinternationaltraderulesandstandardstoachieve aworldwidelevelplayingfield;

7. STRESSESthatthelinkbetweenpolicyactionsfosteringindustrialcompetitivenessat bothnationalandEuropeanlevelsiscrucialandshouldbestrengthenedbyintegrating thoseactionsintotheLisbonAgendaandCALLSonthe MemberStatestoreporton nationalpolicyactionsrelatedtoindustrialcompetitivenessintheirannualprogress reports;

8. UNDERLINEStheimportanceofhumancapitalandskillsandEMPHASISESthatlife longlearningprogrammesshouldbedesignedinsuchawayastoboostcompetitiveness, technologicaldevelopment,innovation,entrepreneurshipandtoanticipatetheadjustment tostructuralchanges;

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9. NOTESthatoneofthemainstructuralchangeshasbeentheshiftinemploymenttowards industryrelatedservicesinhighlydevelopedeconomies,duetoamorecosteffective divisionofthe valuecreation chain;

10. UNDERLINEStheneedtocontinueaddressingsectorspecificissues:

– WELCOMINGthenewsectoralinitiativesputforwardbytheCommissiononfood processingandelectricalengineering;

– NOTINGwithinterestthesteppingupoftheongoingworkonspaceindustry, defenceequipmentmarketandnonmilitarysecurityresearchandinthe pharmaceuticalsector,andtheintentiontogivecloseattentiontothespecificneeds ofchemicals,metalsandforestbasedindustries;

– INVITINGtheCommissiontocontinueimplementingthefollowupoftheinitiatives onautomotiveandmechanicalengineeringsectors;

11. AGREESwiththeCommission’sintentiontobuildonongoingworkbymeansofthenew horizontalinitiativesproposed:

– CONFIRMINGthattheinitiativesontheexternaldimensionof competitiveness and market access, aswellason sustainable access to natural resources and raw materials ,playacrucialroleinenhancingtheEU’soverallindustrialperformance andcompetitiveness;

– CONSIDERINGthattheinitiativeon structural change shouldbeaimedattaking advantageofthefastgrowthofcertainhightechsectors,andtheinitiativeonthe link between industry and services atimprovingthequality,productivityandvalue providedbyservicestoindustry,inparticularKnowledgeIntensiveBusiness Services;

– WELCOMINGtheCommission’sintentiontopresentinitiativeson Lead Markets , Standards andC lusters bytheendof2007;RECALLINGtheimportanceof continuingtheconsultationprocesswiththestakeholdersinthedrawingupofthe Leadmarketsinitiative,asstatedintheCouncilconclusionsoninnovationof December2006;

– STRESSINGthattheprocessesof simplification and improvement of the regulatory environment and reduction of the administrative burden on enterprises ,suchasthe CARS21initiative,remainsahighpriority ,particularlysincetheyareofgreat importancetoSMEs;

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– POINTINGouttheinitiativeon sustainable industrial policy andinvitingthe Commissiontodrawupacomplementary ActionPlantopromotesustainable productionandconsumption,whilefosteringsynergieswiththeproposedStrategic EnergyTechnologyPlanfor theEUandtheongoingEnvironmentalTechnologies ActionPlanandtakingintoaccounttheimpactontheinternationalcompetitiveness oftheEUindustries,especiallyofEnergyIntensiveIndustries;

12. CONSIDERSthatthemainobjectivesoftheinitiativeonsustainableindustrialpolicy,in ordertostrengtheninternationalcompetitiveness,shouldbe:

– Speedingupofecoinnovationanddevelopmentofmarketsforlowcarbonand energyandresourceefficienttechnologies,sustainableproductsandservices;

– Exploitationofthefullpotentialoftheinternalmarketandcreationofconditionsfor globalcompetition;

– ExploitationofthefirstmoveradvantagebyEuropeancompanies;

13. UNDERLINESinthiscontexttheimportanceofusingthefollowingtoolsina proportionatemanner,takingintoaccounttheSMEsspecificities,whereappropriate:

– Useofproductpolicy,includingtheidentificationandpromotionof“advanced performance”benchmarks;

– Leveraginginnovation,includingtechnologicalandnontechnologicalinnovation, withefficientandeffectiveuseofCommunityfundingprogrammesandCommunity StateAidrulesonEnvironmentalProtectionandonResearch,Developmentand Innovation;

– Developinganinternalmarketforrenewablesandenergyefficienttechnologies, productsandservicesandanefficientoperationandcompletionofEUinternal marketforgasandelectricity;

– PromotingGlobalSectoralAgreementstoreducetheenvironmentalimpactof industryworldwideandtocreatealevelplayingfieldforindustrysectors internationally;

14. INVITEStheCommissiontoimplementwithoutdelaytheworkprogrammefor20072009 setoutintheCommunication;REQUESTStheCommissiontoinformtheCouncilofthe progressachievedandtheresultsoftheinitiatives,andtosetout,whenappropriate,a furtherprogrammeofmeasuresaimedatstrengtheningthecompetitivenessofindustryin Europe;andREITERATESitsintentiontomonitortheimplementationofthework programme;

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B: CONCERNINGSMEPOLICY,THECOUNCILOFTHEEUROPEANUNION

1. RECALLINGtheEuropeanCharterforSmallEnterprises,approvedonFeiraEuropean Councilin2000,theConclusionsoftheMarch2006CompetitivenessCouncilon“SME policyforgrowthandemployment”anditspreviousconclusionsonindustrialpolicyof May2007;

2. RECALLINGtheconclusionsoftheSpring2006EuropeanCouncil,whichpointoutaset ofpriorityactionsinordertounlockthebusinesspotentialofEuropeanSMEs,in particularthecreationofafavourableregulatoryenvironmentbasedonthe“ThinkSmall First”principle,theimprovementofSMEs’accesstopublicprocurementandthe promotionofentrepreneurialspirit;

3. TAKINGINTOACCOUNTtheoutcomeoftheStuttgartConferenceforSmallandCraft EnterprisesinApril2007,whichstressestheneedforclearrecognitionandunderstanding oftherealityofcraftsandsmallenterprisesandtheEstorilForumonFinancingInnovation inOctober2007outcomereferredtoasthe“EstorilDeclaration”, whichpointsouttheneed todevelopaworldclassenvironmentsupportinginnovativeandhighgrowthSmalland MediumsizedEnterprises(SMEs)inwhatconcernstheprovisionoffinancingschemesfor businessesatallstagesoftheirlifecycle;

4. WelcomestheCommissionCommunication,whichpresentsamidtermreviewofthe ModernSMEpolicy,andidentifiestheprogressmadesince2005,pointingoutsome guidelinesforfutureactions;

5. RECOGNIZEStheimportantroleofSMEsforgrowthandjobcreationandSTRESSES theimportanceofputtingmoreemphasisonSMEsandentrepreneurshipinthecontextof thenextLisboncycle20082010;

6. EMPHASISEStheneedofcoherenceintheSMEapproachacrossthedifferentEU policies,inordertoenhancetheircompetitiveness,stressingtheimportantroleoftheSME envoytothisregard;

7. UNDERLINEStheeffortsmadebyallEUinstitutionsandMemberStatesinimplementing theModernSMEPolicywithimportantresultsalreadyachieved,inparticularinapplying the“ThinkSmallFirst”principleintheirpolicymaking;

8. RECOGNIZESthatfurtheractionisneededtounlockthefullpotentialofSMEs,including singlepersonenterprises,inparticularinthecontextoftheActionPlansonaSustainable IndustrialPolicyandonaSustainableConsumptionandProduction;

9. EMPHASISEStheneedtosupporttechnologicalandnontechnologicalinnovationand innovativehighgrowthpotentialSMEs,particularlyinareasofhighvalueadded;

10. STRESSEStheneedtocontinuetheimplementationofactionsinthefiveareasidentified intheModernSMEpolicyandCALLSONtheMemberStatestotakeinitiativesinthose areas,learningfrombestpracticesanddevelopinginnovativesolutions;

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11. CONFIRMSthekeyareaswhereadditionaleffortsareneeded,accordingtotheoutcome oftheJuly2007InformalMeetingofMinistersforCompetitivenessinLisbon:

– InnovationinFinancing,improvingexistingschemesand,wherenecessary, developingappropriatenewonestofinanceinnovation;

– BetterRegulation,furtherembeddingthe “Think Small First” principleattheheart oftheEUandnationalpoliciestoimprovetheregulatoryframework;

– Internationalizationandaccesstomarkets,helpingSMEstogrowandfacemore demandingmarkets(bothinternalandthirdcountrymarkets),interaliainthefields ofstandardisation,innovationandIPR,andinobtainingcriticalmass,information andskilledworkforce;

– EnergyEfficiencyandclimatechange,creatingtheframeworkconditionsand specificsupportforSMEstoadapttheirstrategiesinviewofthechallengesand opportunitiesinherenttothelowcarboneconomyandthenewenergyandresources consumptionpatterns;

12. WELCOMESTHECOMMISSION’SINTENTIONTO:

– PrepareacomprehensiveinitiativewithconcreteproposalstofurthersupportSMEs, referredtoasa“SmallBusinessAct”forEuropeinthecommunication,inclose cooperationwithsmallbusinessesandtheirrepresentativesatnationalandregional level,whilestressingtheneedtodiscussitpreviouslywithMemberStates;

– Improvetheintegrationofthe“ThinkSmallFirst”principleandstrengthenthe effortstoreduceadministrativeburdensonSMEs,inthecontextofthe25%overall reductionby2012,andthoserelatedtoapplicationsforfundingunderEU programmes;

– StepupitseffortstohelpSMEstotakefulladvantagefromtheSingleMarket,inthe contextofconcreteproposalstobepresentedundertheSingleMarketreview,to ensurealevelplayingfieldforenterprisesacrosstheEUandtoencouragethemto engagemoreincrossborderactivitiesandthroughthenewintegratedbusinessand innovationsupportnetwork;

– TakeintoaccountthediversityoftheSMEcommunity(e.g.craft,socialeconomy, microandsinglepersonenterprisesandfamilyrunsmallcompaniesaswellasthose managedbyunderrepresentedgroups),andtheconditionsinwhichtheyoperate(e.g. geographical),whendesigningandimplementingpoliciesorsupportmeasures;

– ContinuetoevaluateERASMUStypeexchangeprogrammesforyoung entrepreneursandapprenticestoencouragethemtogetexperienceinanother MemberState;

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– Continuetodeveloptheinnovationrelatedinitiativespromotingtheparticipationof SMEsandtakingintoaccounttheviewsofMemberStates,inparticularonlead marketsandclusters;

13. INVITESMEMBERSTATESTO:

– ContinuemainstreamingSMEintotheirpoliciesandimplementingthefivepriority areassetoutinthe2006EuropeanCouncilconclusions;

– Promotedifferenttypesofentrepreneurshipandrelatedskills,inparticularin educationasfromthefirstlevel,whereappropriateandbymeansoftraining schemesformanagersinsmallenterprises;

– Makeprogresstowardssettingtheirownambitiousnationaltargetsinthereduction ofadministrativeburdens,inaccordancewiththeConclusionsofthe2007Spring EuropeanCouncil,inparticularbybringingforwardspecificprovisionstoencourage SMEgrowthanddevelopment,suchassimplifiedreportingrequirementsand exemptions;

– ImproveSMEs’accesstopublicprocurement,establishingspecificstrategies,where appropriate,andintroducingmeasurestoraiseenterprises’awarenessofprocurement opportunitiesandaccesstoinformationonpublictenders;

– MakebetteruseoftheCommunityfunding(e.g.CIP,FP7andCohesionPolicy initiativessuchasJEREMIE)topromotethekeypriorities inthefieldofSMEpolicy accordingtothegeneralobjectivesoftheLisbonstrategyandthecorresponding nationalpriorities;

14. INVITESTHEMEMBERSTATESANDTHECOMMISSIONTO:

– CommitthemselvestoimprovetheSMEpolicydimensioninallCommunityactions, andNationalReformProgramsinthenextLisboncycle;

– Furtherimplementthe“ThinkSmallFirst”principlewhenconductingreviewsof existinglegislationorpreparingnewlegislationandimprovetheuseofimpact assessmentswhereappropriate,andtheconsultationwithstakeholders;

– SpeedupactiontofacilitatethecreationofatrulyEuropeanventurecapitalmarket andothermechanismsofaccesstofinanceforsmallenterprises,inthecasewherea marketfailureisidentifiedandrespectingtheprincipleofsubsidiarity;

– TakeappropriatemeasurestoimproveSMEs’accesstoskills,includingeskills,and theuptakeofICT;

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– Improvethelegalandpolicyframeworkinordertoenhancelegalcertaintyandto createamoreconsistentandclearregulatoryenvironmentallowingSMEstogrow andoperatecrossbordersastheydoontheirdomesticmarketandtakefull advantageoftheopportunitiesoftheSingleMarket;

– Placehighpriorityonthecomplete,coherentandtimelytranspositionand implementationoftheServicesDirective,thusstrengtheningtheopportunitiesfor SMEsintheinternalmarketandtoprovideforuserfriendlypointsofsinglecontact forenterprises;

C: CONCERNINGESKILLSSTRATEGY,THECOUNCILOFTHEEUROPEANUNION

1. RECALLINGitsconclusionsonindustrialpolicyofMay2007,whichhaveencouraged theCommissionandtheMemberStatestocontinuetheiractivitiestopromote entrepreneurshipandassociatedskills,developalongtermeskillsstrategyforimproving competitiveness,employabilityandlifelonglearning;

2. TAKINGINTOACCOUNTtherecommendationsoftheEuropeaneSkillsForum establishedin2003andthoseoftheICTTaskForcelaunchedin2006,incorporated respectively,intheconclusionsoftheEuropeaneskillsconferencesorganizedin2004and 2006inThessaloniki;aswellastheRigaMinisterialDeclarationoneinclusionin2006;

3. UNDERLINEStheimportanceofeskills(ICTrelatedskills)andtheuptakeof informationandcommunicationtechnologies(ICT)forcompetitiveness,growth, employment,educationandlifelongtrainingandsocialinclusion;

4. WELCOMEStheCommissionCommunication,whichproposesalongtermeskills agenda,inresponsetotheneedtoaddresseskillsasawayofcontributingtothe developmentofaneconomybasedonknowledgeintensiveproductsandservicesanda moreinclusivesociety;

5. EMPHASISEStheneedtorapidlyimplementalongtermeskillsagenda,toimprove cooperationandmobilizationofallstakeholdersandtoadoptbeststrategiesandpractices inordertobetterfaceglobalcompetitivechallenges,whilerecallingthecentralroleof MemberStatesindevelopingnationalpoliciesandactions ;

6. INVITEStheCommission,MemberStatesandstakeholderstoproceedwiththefiveaction linesattheEuropeanlevelaspresentedintheCommunication,withaviewtocomplete themby2010,whileensuringthatanynewproposalsareconsistentwithexisting initiativesandthatMemberStates’responsibilityfortheireducationandtrainingsystems isrespected;

7. SUPPORTStheCommission’sintentiontocontinueto:

– provideaplatformfortheexchangeofbestpractices;

– promotearegulardialogueoneskillsand; 14865/07(Presse259) 16 EN 22.23.XI.2007

– developaEuropeaneCompetenceFramework;

incooperationwithMemberstatesandstakeholders;

8. INVITEStheMemberStatesto:

– furtherdeveloptheirlongtermeskillsstrategies,takingintoaccountthekey componentsandactionlinesproposedbytheCommission,whereappropriate;

– includeeskillsstrategyintheirnationalreformprogrammes,inthecontextoftheir lifelonglearningandskillspolicies;

– takeintoaccountSMEsspecificitiesinthisfieldandtheimportanceofICTdiffusion fortheircompetitiveness;

9. ENCOURAGEStheindustry,socialpartnersandeducationproviders,including academia, tomobilisethemselves,puttingemphasisonsocialresponsibility,totakeinitiatives contributingtotheimplementationofthelongtermeskillsstrategy;

10. WELCOMEStheCommission’sintentiontoorganizeaconferencein2008toreporton progressmade,presenttheresultsoftheactionsanddiscussthewayforwardandtorelease areportin2010totheCouncilandtheEuropeanParliamentbasedontheresultsofan independentevaluationandtheassessmentofthestakeholders;

11. COMMITStocontinueandenlargethedebateontheseissuesinordertoachievean integratedapproachinwhichsocialcohesion,genderissues,suchasencouragingwomen tochooseICTcareers,einclusionandpromotionofnewICTprofessionsandskillscanbe fullydiscussed;

D: CONCERNINGINNOVATIONPRIORITIES,THECOUNCILOFTHEEUROPEAN UNION

1. RECALLINGtheConclusionsoftheDecember2006CompetitivenessCouncilonabroad –basedinnovationstrategy,whichunderlinedthecentralroleofinnovationtoEurope’s abilitytorespondeffectivelytothechallengesandopportunitiesoftheglobaleconomy anddefinedninestrategicprioritiesfortheimplementationofthatstrategy;

2. WELCOMEStheCommissioninitiativesonenhancingthepatentsysteminEurope, promotinginnovativesolutionsinpublicprocurementandsupportinginnovationin services;

3. HIGHLIGHTStheimportanceofsupportingallformsofinnovationincludingnon technologicalinnovationandthenecessitytobetteraddressthespecificneedsofyoung innovativeenterpriseswithhighgrowthpotential;

14865/07(Presse259) 17 EN 22.23.XI.2007

4. WELCOMESTHECOMMISSION’SINTENTIONTO:

– Adoptassoonaspossibletheforthcominginitiativeson:leadmarkets, standardisationinsupportofinnovation,clusters,innovationinservicesandon removingbarrierstocrossborderventurecapitalinvestmentsincloseconsultation withMemberStatesandstakeholders;

– Continueitseffortstoimprove,incooperationwithMemberStates,theaccessto financeandinvestmentreadinessofinnovativeSMEsandtheirparticipationinR&D programmes;

5. INVITESTHEMEMBERSTATESANDTHECOMMISSIONTO:

– EncouragelongtermpublicprivatepartnershipsinR&Dandinnovation,notablyby settingupJointTechnologyInitiativesandtheKnowledgeandInnovation CommunitiesoftheEuropeanInstituteofTechnology¸

– DevelopacomprehensiveIPRstrategyinEurope;

– Discusstheprogressofthebroadbasedinnovationstrategyearlyin2008."

14865/07(Presse259) 18 EN 22.23.XI.2007

SIMPLIFIED BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT FOR COMPANIES IN THE AREAS OF COMPANY LAW, ACCOUNTING AND AUDITING – Council conclusions

TheCounciladoptedthefollowingconclusions:

"Europe'sprosperitydependsonthatofitsundertakings.Indeed,undertakingsareanessential factoringrowthandemployment,andin2005therelaunchoftheLisbonStrategymadepolicy infavourofundertakingsandindustryoneofEurope'spriorities.

UnderArticle157oftheTreatyestablishingtheEuropeanCommunity,theEuropeanCommunity hasasitsobjectivethecreationofoptimalconditionsforcompetitiveness.

TheEuropeanCouncilmeetingon8and9March2007underlinedthatreducingadministrative burdenswasimportantforboostingEurope'seconomy,whiletheactionprogrammeadoptedbythe Commissionon24January2007which,inlinewiththeinitiativesunderthesocalled" Better Regulation" drive,wasaimedatthemodernisationofEuropeancompanylaw,stressedtheneedto generatetangibleeconomicbenefits.

Maintainingcompetitivenessisaconstantchallenge.Therefore,whilethemajorbenefitsunderlying thesuccessiveDirectivesframedinthefieldsofcompanylaw,accountingandauditingcannotbe contested,oneneedstoexaminewhethertheinstrumentsprovidedforinthoseDirectivesarestill suitedtotheongoingprocessofglobalisationoftheeconomy.

On10July2007,theCommissionadoptedaCommunicationtoaddresstheseconcerns.Withthat Communication,theCommissionpresenteditsviewsonthesimplificationofcompanylaw, accountingandauditinginordertoprovideaframeworktothedebateandidentifythemeasuresin theareasofcompanylaw,accountingandauditing“thatarebestsuitednotonlytomakeEuropean companiesfitfortheInternalMarketbutalsotomakethemmorecompetitiveglobally”.

TheCouncilagreesthatEuropemustremainintheforefrontinallsectorswherecompetitionis becomingagreatdealmoreintense.Tobecomethemostcompetitiveeconomicareaintheworld andinordertoimproveinvestmentconditions,Europemustcreateaclimatefavourabletothe entrepreneurialspiritandfacilitatethelivesofbothcitizensandundertakings;theseobjectives depend,inparticular,onpassinglawsthatarejustified,adequate,proportionateandofsound quality,onthereductionofcoststoundertakingsarisingfrombureaucracyrelatedobligationsand onmakingproceduressimplerandmoretransparent,takingintoaccounttheadministrative structuresofMemberStates.Moreover,thecrucialimportanceofsmallandmediumsized undertakingsinEurope'ssocioeconomicfabricshouldbeemphasized.

Theconstantlyincreasingutilisationofinformationtechnologiesofferscompaniesandalsopublic administrationsanewsetoftechnologicalinstrumentsandbusinessreportingcomputerlanguages, thatdidnotexistwhenthecompanylawDirectiveswereadopted.Regulationandpracticesinthe areasofcompanylaw,accountingandauditingshouldthereforebeadaptedtothisnewrealityina waywhichmakesthemostoftheaddedvalueandpossibilitiesofmoderninformationtechnology.

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AmajorjointeffortwillberequiredonthepartoftheEuropeanCommunityanditsMemberStates inordertofurtheraninvestmentfriendlyclimateandimproveEuropeancompetitivenesslevels. TheCommissionhasalreadymadeaclearandsignificantstepwiththepublicationoftheabove mentionedCommunication.Thisistherightmomenttotakeaction.

Inthelightofthis,theCouncilcallsupontheCommissionto:

1) ExpediteconsiderationofresponsestoitsCommunicationand,whereappropriateand preferablybeforetheendof2008,bringforwardproposals,basedonimpactassessments. Suchproposalsshouldbeaimedatreducingunjustifiedadministrativeburdensfor companiesinthefieldsofcompanylaw,accountingandauditing,takingdulyintoaccount theprinciplesagreeduponunderthebetterregulationprocessandinlinewiththegeneral objectiveofachievinga25%reductionofadministrativeburdensarisingfromEU legislationby2012,namely:

a) reforming,onacasebycasebasis,relevantEUinstrumentsinthesefieldsthat imposecostsonundertakingswithoutconferringbenefitsforthoseundertakings, investorsorcreditorsintheinternalmarket;

b) ensuringthattherequirementsimposedonundertakings,inparticularinthefieldsof accountingandauditing,aresetatthenecessarylevelandareproportionatetothe sizeandnatureoftheundertakings.

SuchproposalswillbeaddressedbytheCouncilasamatterofpriority.

2) ActivelypromoteanopenexchangeamongstMemberStatesonbestpracticesandfurther considertheneedforintegrationinEUlegislationinthefieldsofcompanylaw,accounting andauditingofthefollowingobjectives:

a) streamliningreportingrequirementsimposedonundertakingsandconcerningthe sametypeofdata;

b) reducingthenumberofpreventivelegalitychecksconcerningtheactionof undertakingstothatnecessary;

c) increasingandoptimisingtheuseofelectronicmeans:

i) intherelationshipbetweenundertakingsandpublicadministrationand/or

ii) withinandbetweenundertakings,

takingalsointoaccountthepossibilitiesofferedbytheavailabletechnicalstandards ortheuseofelectronicsignatures;

d) simplifyingtherelationshipbetweenundertakingsandpublicadministration, includingthepossibilityofdeveloping"onestopshop"solutions."

14865/07(Presse259) 20 EN 22.23.XI.2007

AGENDA FOR A SUSTAINABLE AND COMPETITIVE EUROPEAN TOURISM – Council conclusions

TheCounciladoptedthefollowingconclusions:

"THECOUNCIL

1. RECALLS

– theobjectivesoftheLisbonStrategyforGrowthandJobs;

– theCouncilResolutionontheFutureoftheEuropeanTourismfromMay2002;

– theCouncilConclusionsontheSustainabilityofEuropeanTourismfromApril2005;

– theCouncilConclusionsonaRenewedTourismPolicyfromJuly2006;

– theReportoftheTourismSustainabilityGroup;

2. WELCOMES

– theCommissionCommunicationonan“AgendaforaSustainableandCompetitive EuropeanTourism”fromOctober2007;

3. TAKESNOTEoftheresultsof:

– theEuropeanTourismMinisters’ConferenceheldinPotsdaminMay2007;

– theEuropeanTourismFora,notablythelatestheldinPortugalon2527October 2007;

4. STRESSESthecrucialrolethattourismplaysingeneratinggrowthandjobsintheEU;

5. NOTEStheimportanceofsustainabilitytoensurealongtermcompetitivenessofthe tourismenterprisesanddestinations;

6. TAKESTHEVIEWthatsustainabletourismconstitutesatooltohelptheregenerationand economicdevelopmentofdestinations,inparticularofsensitiveareasasforexample islandsandremoteareas,contributingtoanincreaseinthequalityoflifeofbothhostand guestcommunitieswhilemaintainingthenaturalandculturalheritageofEurope;

14865/07(Presse259) 21 EN 22.23.XI.2007

7. CONSIDERSthatthedevelopmentandeconomicgrowthofcountriessuchasChina, Brazil,IndiaandRussiaisleadingtoanincreasingtourismdemandandconsequentlyto theneedforanadequateresponsefromtheEuropeanUniontoembracethisopportunityin awaythatalsorespectssustainability;

8. NOTEStheimportanceofanewimpetusintheprocessofmakingEuropeantourismmore sustainable;

9. POINTSOUTtheimportantroleoftheSMEsinthetourismindustry,especiallyinthe contextofthedestinations,aswellasintheachievementofamoresustainableEuropean tourism;

10. STRESSEStheimportantmodificationsinglobalpriorities,inparticularclimatechangeas afundamentalissuewithmajorimplicationsfortourism,withtheneedfordestinationsto adapttochangesinthepatternofdemandandtypeoftourismsupply.

11. INVITESMemberStatesto:

– supportadequatestructuresforthestartup,implementationandmonitoringofthe “AgendaforaSustainableandCompetitiveEuropeanTourism”;

– supporttheimplementationofpilotprojectswithinthiscontext,aswellasthe developmentofintegratedmodelsforthemanagementofdestinations;

– promotetheeffectiveuseofEuropeanfinancialinstrumentsfortheimplementation ofthe“Agenda”;

– participateactivelyintheEDEN(EuropeanDestinationsofExcellence)initiative, whichledtothefirstawardsbeingdistributedto10outstandingdestinationsatthe 6thEuropeanTourismForumwhichtookplaceinOctober2007.

12. INVITEStheEuropeanCommissionto:

– devoteparticularattentiontotheimpactthatlegislationmayhaveonthetourism sector,withintheundergoingProgrammeofBetterRegulation;

– supportthecreationofanetworksfortheexchangeofexperiencesandgood practicesandthedisseminationofknowledgeinthefieldofsustainabletourism;

– developacommunicationcampaigninclosecooperationwithMemberStatesaimed atimprovingtheunderstandingandthevisibilityofsustainabletourisminEurope;

14865/07(Presse259) 22 EN 22.23.XI.2007

– lendcontinuoussupporttolocalandregionalnetworkscommittedtosustainable destinationmanagementandnotablytotheirEuromeetinginNovemberthisyearin Florence;

– furthersupportandintensifythecooperationinthefieldoftourismwith neighbouringcountries,suchasthecountriesoftheEuroMediterraneanPartnership orEasternEuropecountries;

– closelycooperatewithinternationalorganisationsthataredirectlyorindirectly relatedtotourism,inordertoeffectivelyaddresschallengesthatrequireglobal action.

13. INVITEStheEuropeanTourismIndustryandotherstakeholdersinthetourismsectorto:

– activelyparticipateintheimplementationofthe“Agenda”,thusachievingthe objectivesoftherenewedLisbonStrategyforGrowthandJobs,aswellasthe renewedSustainableDevelopmentStrategy;

– contributetothedevelopmentofproductsandservicesbasedonsustainablepatterns ofproductionandconsumption;

– promotecorporatesocialresponsibilityandcontributetodialogueandcooperation betweenpublicandprivatestakeholders,inordertostrengthenthesocial sustainability;

– activelyparticipateinthedisseminationofgoodpracticeswithinthecontextof sustainability;

– considersustainabilityasakeyfactorinthemanagementofbusinessactivities;

– makethebestuseofavailableEuropeanfinancialinstrumentsfortourismrelated projectswithintheframeworkoftheimplementationoftheAgenda."

14865/07(Presse259) 23 EN 22.23.XI.2007

BETTER REGULATION

TheCouncilheldanexchangeofviewsandtooknoteofaprogressreportontheBetterRegulation agenda (14625/07) .

Thereport,submittedbythePresidency,reflectsthemostrelevantdevelopmentsinthethreekey areasoftheBetterRegulationprocess:

– reduction of administrative burdens ,wherefiveofthetenfasttrackactionsintendedto reducecostsforbusinesseshavealreadybeenadopted;

– impact assessment ,where,duringthePortuguesePresidency,20legislativeproposalsand othermajorCommissioninitiativesaccompaniedbyimpactassessmentshavebeen adoptedbytheCommission.TheCommission'sindependent"ImpactAssessmentBoard" hascontributedtoimprovingthequalityofimpactassessments.Thereportwelcomesthe independentevaluationoftheCommission'simpactassessmentsystem;and

– simplification ,wherethereportnotesthat,for2007,29simplificationinitiativeshavebeen presentedbytheCommissionand25areconfirmedforpresentationbytheendof2007.At interinstitutionallevel,13initiativeshavebeenadopted,whilst37arecurrentlypending adoptionbythecolegislators.

ThereportalsowelcomestheCommission'sintentiontopresentthesecondstrategicreviewof BetterRegulationinearly2008.Thereviewwillbeausefulbasisfordiscussionatthe2526 FebruaryCompetitivenessCouncil,aswellasatthe1314MarchEuropeanCouncilonhowBetter Regulationtoolsareeffectivelyapplied,andwhetherfurtheractionisneeded.

SincethepresentationofthelastreportinMay2007(9164/07) ,theprinciplesofBetterRegulation havebeensteadilyimplementedintheEU'slawmakingprocess.

TheBetterRegulationagendaaimsatimprovingthequalityandformoftheregulatoryenvironment inordertostrengthenEUcompetitiveness.

14865/07(Presse259) 24 EN 22.23.XI.2007

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY: EUROPEAN PATENT LITIGATION SYSTEM

TheCouncilheldanexchangeofviewsonpossibleelementsofafutureintegratedpatentlitigation systemforpatentsinEurope(15162/07 and 14492/07) .

TheexchangeofviewstookplaceonthebasisofaprogressreportdrawnupbythePresidency furthertotheCommission'scommunication"EnhancingthepatentsysteminEurope"of3April 2007 (8302/07) .

TheCouncilwelcomedprogressachievedsofarandagreedontheneedtocontinueworktowards findingsolutionsforaEuropewidepatentlitigationsystemandaCommunityPatent.

Furthermore,ministersagreedontheneedforanefficientlitigationsystemwhichensureslegal certaintyandwhichiscapableofreducingcostsforusers,especiallyforSMEs.Suchasystem wouldalsobeanimportantelementofafutureCommunityPatent.

TheyalsonotedthatcertainissueswillrequirefurtherindepthdiscussionswithintheCouncil preparatorybodies.

Thereportindicatesthefollowinggeneralfeaturesthatmayformabasisforfuturework:

– Thepatentjurisdictionshouldbeanexclusivejurisdictiondealingwithvalidity, infringementandinterrelatedproceedingsconcerningEuropeanpatentsandfuture Communitypatentsinordertoensureefficiencyandcoherenceofpatentlitigation.

– ItshouldbeaCommunityjurisdictionspecialisedinpatentlitigation.

– ItshouldbeanintegratedsystemeffectiveinallMemberStates.

– Itshouldcompriseafirstinstancewithlocalandregionaldivisionsaswellasonecentral division,asecondinstanceandaregistry.

– AlldivisionswouldformanintegralpartofaunifiedCommunityjurisdictionwithuniform procedures.

14865/07(Presse259) 25 EN 22.23.XI.2007

REVISION OF THE "TIMESHARE DIRECTIVE"

TheCouncilheldanexchangeofviewsandtooknoteofareportonadraftDirectiveonthe protectionofconsumersinrespectofcertainaspectsoftimeshare,longtermholidayproducts, resaleandexchange(14392/07) .

ThereportreflectsthestateoftheworkconductedwithintheCouncilunderthePortuguese Presidencysincethepresentationoftheproposalon8June2007 (10686/07) .

ThereportpointsoutthatrevisionofDirective94/47/EChasbecomeaprioritygiventheproblems facedbyconsumersinrelationtoresaleandnewproducts,suchastimesharelikeproducts(e.g. holidaystaysinmovableproperty,likeboatsorcaravans)orlongtermholidayproducts(e.g. discountholidayclubs)whicharenotcoveredbythepresentDirective.

TheministerialdebatefocusedontherelationshipofthedraftDirectivewiththefutureframework Directiveonconsumercontractualrights,inparticularontheextentofandappropriatetimefor harmonisationofthemodalitiesandeffectsoftherightofwithdrawal.

TheEuropeanParliamentfirstreadingopinionisexpectedinSpring2008.

14865/07(Presse259) 26 EN 22.23.XI.2007

EUROPEAN INSTITUTE OF INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY

TheCouncilheldapublicdeliberationandreachedapoliticalagreementonthedraftRegulationfor thecreationofaEuropeanInstituteofInnovationandTechnology(EIT).

ThepoliticalagreementshouldallowimplementationoftheEITRegulationtostartasfromspring 2008,aftercompletionofthesecondreadingphaseprovidedforundertheCouncil–Parliament codecisionprocedure.

TheagreementcontainsthemainissuesthatwillshapetheEIT,namely:

• thetwostepapproachconcept,accordingtowhichalimitednumberofinitialKnowledgeand InnovationCommunities(KICs)wouldbesetupinafirststep,andfurtherKICswouldbe developedinasecondstep,subjecttoevaluationoftheEIT'sactivities.TheEITwouldperform mostofitsactivitiesthroughtheKICs,whicharepartnershipsbetweentheprivatesector,the researchcommunityandexcellentteamsfromresearchcommunitiesanduniversities;

• longtermstrategicpolicyguidancewillbeprovidedbytheParliamentandtheCouncil,which willhavetoadopttheEIT'sstrategicinnovationagenda(SIA)forfutureEITactivities;

• theuseofanadditionalEITlabelonrecogniseddiplomasawardedbyuniversitiesandhigher educationinstitutesparticipatingintheKICs;

• EUR308,7millionhavebeenearmarkedforthefunctioningoftheEITforaperiodofsixyears, butthesourcesoftheEU'sbudgetcontributiontothefundingoftheEITarestillsubjecttothe approvaloftheCommunitybudgetaryauthorities;

• fororganisationandadministrativemanagementpurposes,theEITwillbeprovidedwitha governancestructuredesignedtofacilitatebusinessinvolvement.Itwillbemadeupofa governingboard,anexecutivecommittee,adirectorandanauditcommittee.

• thelocationoftheEITwillbedecidedwithin12monthsaftertheRegulationentersintoforce.

ThepoliticalagreementfollowstheagreementreachedbytheCouncilon25June (11058/07) on theessentialelementsofthefutureinstitute,andtheEuropeanParliament'sfirstreadingopinion deliveredlastSeptember (13186/07) .

TheEITwillprimarilyhavetheobjectiveofcontributingtothedevelopmentofinnovationcapacity intheEU,byinvolvinghighereducation,researchandcompetitiveness(the"knowledgetriangle") activitiesatthehigheststandards.Insodoing,theEITwillfacilitateandenhancenetworkingand cooperationandcreatesynergiesbetweeninnovationcommunitiesinEurope.

14865/07(Presse259) 27 EN 22.23.XI.2007

JOINT TECHNOLOGY INITIATIVES

TheCouncilagreedona"generalapproach"(substantialelementsofthelegalacts)onfour proposalsaimedatestablishingjointtechnologyinitiatives(JTIs)inthefollowingfields:

• Innovativemedicines("IMI") (9686/07)

• Embeddedcomputingsystems("ARTEMIS") (9685/07)

• Nanoelectronictechnologies("ENIAC") (10149/07)

• Aeronauticsandairtransport("CLEANSKY") (10148/07)

TheagreementonthegeneralapproachpavesthewayforadoptingthefinalDecisionsassoonas possibleafterreceivingtheEuropeanParliament'sopinions,inordertoenableaswiftstarttothe fourJTIsinearly2008.

Accordingtotheagreementreachedtoday,theJTIswouldhavethefollowingcommonfeatures:

• TheJTIsshouldbesetupunderCommunitylawasCommunitybodies.Theyshouldreceive Communityfundinginordertoimplementtheresearchprogrammes,notablybyawarding fundingtoselectedprojects,followingpublicationofcallsforproposals.

• Theywilltaketheformofrealpublic/privatepartnershipswithasharedresponsibilityof industryinthemanagementofthejointundertakings.EUMemberStatesandtheCommission willexerciseappropriatesupervisionovertheuseofpublicfunds.

• Theywillhavealimiteddurationof10years.

• JTIswillnothavethestatusofinternationalorganisations.

• JTIswillhavelegalpersonalityandwillbeestablishedonthebasisofArticles171and172of theECTreaty.

• Theywillimplementtheresearchprogrammesbycombiningpublicandprivatefunding.

• TheCommunitywillcontributetoboththeresearchactivitiesandtherunningcosts.

14865/07(Presse259) 28 EN 22.23.XI.2007

JTIsareamajornewelementoftheEU's7thResearchFrameworkProgramme(FP7)for2007– 2013.Theywereprovidedforinthe"Cooperation"1SpecificProgramme1,whichimplementsthe FP7bystimulatingcooperationandreinforcinglinksbetweenindustryandresearchwithina transnationalframework.

JTIsprovideawayofcreatingnewpartnershipsbetweenpubliclyandprivatelyfunded organisationsinvolvedinresearch,focusingonareaswhereresearchandtechnological developmentcancontributetoEuropeancompetitivenessandqualityoflife.Theapproach proposedbytheJTIssignalsachangeinhowEuropepromotesindustrydrivenresearch,designed toestablishEuropeanleadershipincertaintechnologiesthatarestrategictoEurope'sfuture.

TheseCommissionproposalsarisemainlyfromtheworkofEuropeanTechnologyPlatformsand aretheresultoftwoyearsofnegotiationswithdifferentindustrysectors.

TheCouncilhadafirstroundofdiscussionsonthefourproposalsatthelastCompetitiveness Councilon28September.

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RESEARCH PROGRAMME ON QUALITY OF LIFE FOR OLDER PEOPLE

Inpublicdeliberation,theCouncilhadanexchangeofviewsandagreedonageneralapproach concerningadraftdecisionontheparticipationbytheCommunityinaresearchanddevelopment programmeaimedatenhancingthequalityoflifeofolderpeoplethroughtheuseofnew informationandcommunicationtechnologies(ICT),undertakenbyseveralEUMemberStates ("AmbientAssistedLiving"Programme) (10959/07) .

Thegeneralapproachisaimedatfacilitatingafirstreadingagreementincodecisionwiththe Parliamentearlynextyear.

TheoverallobjectiveoftheAALJointProgrammeistoenhancethequalityoflifeofolderpeople andstrengthentheindustrialbaseinEuropethroughtheuseofICT.Inaddition,ithasthefollowing specificaims:

– tofostertheemergenceofinnovativeICTbasedproducts,servicesandsystemsforageingwell athome,inthecommunity,andatwork,thusincreasingthequalityoflife,autonomy, participationinsociallife,skillsandemployabilityofelderlypeople,andreducingthecostsof healthandsocialcare;

– tocreateacriticalmassofresearch,developmentandinnovationatEUlevelintechnologiesand servicesforageingwellintheinformationsociety, includingtheestablishmentofafavourable environmentforparticipationbySMEs;

– toimproveconditionsforindustrialexploitationbyprovidingacoherentEuropeanframework fordevelopingcommonapproachesandfacilitatingthelocalisationandadaptationofcommon solutionswhicharecompatiblewithvaryingsocialpreferencesandregulatoryaspectsatnational orregionallevelacrossEurope.

TheAALJointProgrammeprovidesthelegalandorganisationalframeworkforalargescale EuropeanprogrammeinvolvingAustria,Belgium,Cyprus,Denmark,Finland,France,Germany, Greece,Hungary,Ireland,Italy,Luxembourg,theNetherlands,Poland,Portugal,Romania, Slovenia,Spain,SwedenandtheUnitedKingdom,andIsrael,NorwayandSwitzerlandonapplied researchandinnovationintheareaofICTforageingwellintheinformationsociety.Theyhave agreedtocoordinateandimplementjointlyactivitiesaimedatcontributingtotheAALProgramme.

Theproposalforaprogrammeon"AmbientAssistedLiving"isthefirstoffourinitiativesbasedon Article169oftheECTreatythatareplannedduringthecourseoftheFP7.Article169regulatesthe participationoftheCommunityinresearchprogrammesjointlyundertakenbyseveralEUMember States,includingparticipationinthestructurescreatedfortheexecutionofthoseprogrammes.

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THE FUTURE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY IN EUROPE – Council conclusions

TheCounciladoptedthefollowingconclusions:

"THECOUNCILOFTHEEUROPEANUNION,

RECALLING

(1) ItsResolutionsof15June2000on"EstablishingaEuropeanAreaofResearchand Innovation";of16November2000on"MakingarealityoftheEuropeanAreaofResearch andInnovation";of22September2003on"InvestinginResearchforEuropeanGrowth andCompetitiveness";of4December2006on"Abroadbasedinnovationstrategy: strategicprioritiesforactionatEUlevel";andthedecisionNo1982/2006/ECofthe EuropeanParliamentandoftheCouncilof18December2006concerningtheSeventh FrameworkProgrammeoftheEuropeanCommunityforresearch,technological developmentanddemonstrationactivities(20072013);

(2) Itsconclusions 1of18April2005onreinforcinghumanresourcesinscienceand technologyintheEuropeanResearchAreawhich,interalia,"welcomed(asvoluntary instruments)theCommissionRecommendationof11March2005ontheEuropeanCharter forResearchersandonaCodeofConductfortheRecruitmentofResearchers."

(3) TheinformalEuropeanCouncilmeetingatHamptonCourton27October2005that “identifiedtheneedforanewimpetusinanumberofareasthatareimportantto successfullymeetthechallengesofglobalisationanddemography”,namely“researchand developmentanduniversities”;andrecognisedthat“greaterbusinessandindustrial investmentinR&DisrequiredtogiveEuropetheroleitneeds.”

(4) TherecognitionbytheAhoReport(January2006)that,amongstothers,“measuresare neededtoincreaseresourcesforexcellentscience,industrialR&Dandthescienceindustry nexus”,callingforanincreaseinR&Dresourcesbutalsoforanewparadigmforthebest useofthoseresources.

(5) The1819October2007LisbonInformalEuropeanCouncil’semphasisonthe“external dimensionoftheLisbonStrategy”,“neededasafullresponsetoglobalisation”.

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1. RECOGNIZESthecriticalroleplayedbyscienceandtechnologyinthedevelopmentof knowledgebasedeconomiesandtheincreasinglydifficultcompetitionforhighlyqualified scientists,engineersandpostgraduatestudentstheEUisfacingatworldlevel;and WELCOMEStheinitiativesbyMemberStatesinthisrespecttoconferhighpriorityto publicinvestmentsinscienceandresearch,tostimulatehigherlevelsofprivateinvestment inR&Dandtoencouragereformsandtheinternationalisationofhighereducationand publicresearchsystems.

2. WELCOMESthefactthatseveralmajorS&TstakeholdersinEuropehavepublicly expressedsupportandengagementtothefurtheringofEuropeanResearchandstressesthe rolethatNationalResearchAgenciesandResearchPerformingOrganisations, InternationalResearchLaboratories,Universities,EuropeanScienceSocieties,Academies, andEuropeanIndustryplaytocontributetosuchcollectiveaction;

3. WELCOMESthelaunchoftheSeventhFrameworkProgrammethemainCommunity instrumentinR&Dwhichretainsafocusontransnationalcollaborativeresearchand researchers'mobilitywhileenablingenterprisefocusedandotheractivities,notablythe actionofthenewlycreatedEuropeanResearchCounciltorewardexcellenceinfrontier researchandreaffirmsitssupporttotheindependenceoftheERCasaconditionforits effectivenessandfurtherdevelopment.

4. WELCOMEStheprogressmadeinthecodecisionprocessbytheEuropeanParliament andtheCouncilintheexaminationoftheCommissionproposalforthesettingupofthe EuropeanInstituteofTechnology.

5. WELCOMEStheCommissionGreenPaper"TheEuropeanResearchArea:New Perspectives"andthedebatethatithasstimulatedastimelyinputsforthenextcycleofthe Lisbonstrategy(20082010).

6. ACKNOWLEDGESthat,althoughsubstantialadvanceshavebeenachievedsincethe LisbonEuropeanCouncilofMarch2000settheobjectivetomakeEuropethemost advancedknowledgebasedsociety,fasterprogresshasbeenachievedbyothermajor regions.

7. CONSIDERSthatfasterprogressismorethanevernecessaryinordertorespondto:

– theincreasedinternationalcompetition,includingforqualifiedhumanresourcesfor R&D,andnewopportunitiesbroughtbytheglobalisationofeconomicand knowledgeflows;

– theincreasingcomplexityandscaleoftheeconomic,socialandenvironmental challengesaffectingsociety;

14865/07(Presse259) 32 EN 22.23.XI.2007

– theneedofbusinesstooperateinanenvironmentof'openinnovation'where connectionswitheachotherandwithpublicresearchinstitutionsareatthecoreof valuecreation;

– thegrowingimportanceofthefreedomofknowledgeandofknowledgecirculation, notablyknowledgesharingbetweenpublicresearchandindustryaswellaspublicat large.

8. STRESSESthatfutureprogresstowardstheachievementofEuropeanobjectives,namely thefulfilmentoftheLisbonandBarcelonagoals,dependscriticallyonnationalscienceand technologypoliciesinMemberStatesandontheincreasedpriorityScienceandtechnology shouldbegrantedinnationalreformpoliciesand,hence,INVITEStheCommissionand MemberStatestostrengthenthescienceandtechnologypriorityinthenextcycleofthe LisbonstrategyandINVITESMemberStatesalsotokeepunderreview,through reinforcingtheuseoftheOpenMethodofCoordination,theirnationalscienceand technologypoliciesandotherpoliciesandprioritiesimpactingontheseinviewoftaking strongeractionandmaximizingprogresstowardsthiscommonEuropeangoal.

9. RECOGNIZESthatworldcompetitionforqualifiedhumanresourcesforS&Tisacritical strategicissuerequiringtheadoptionofconsistentandcomprehensivenationalandEU actionsontheincreaseoftheattractivenessofS&Tforthenewgenerationsaswellason thecapacityofEurope’sR&DpublicandprivateinstitutionstomakeEuropeattractiveto thebesttalentfromtherestoftheworld;

10. CONSIDERSthatitisimportantthattheCommissionandMemberStatesworkat European,regionalandnationallevelintheareaofS&Tpolicieswiththeaimofmaking fulluseoftheS&TpotentialacrossEurope.

11. RECOGNISEStheneedtodevelopanevidencebaseuponwhichmoreeffectivepolicies canbebasedandWELCOMEStheinitiativesthatsomeMemberStatesandthe CommissionaretakingtoestablishtheimpactoftheFrameworkProgrammesonnational andEuropeanRTDsystemsaswellasthelinkagewiththeEU'sbroadbasedinnovation strategy,takingintoaccounttheprinciplesofsubsidiarityandEuropeanaddedvalue.

12. CONSIDERSthatspecificactionisnowneededincertainkeyareas,andtherefore:

14865/07(Presse259) 33 EN 22.23.XI.2007

A. To ensure sufficient human resources for R&D i) INVITEStheMemberStatesandtheCommissiontoworktogetherinthecontextofthe openmethodofcoordinationtoimproveresearchers'careersandpromotebalanced circulationofresearcherswiththerestoftheworldbothquantitativelyandqualitatively. Tothiseffect,SUGGESTSthedevelopmentofobjectivesfortheEUasawholeforthe nextdecadeinthefollowingareas:1)balancedbraincirculationbetweentheEUandthe US;2)maintainapositivegrowthrateofnewgraduatesandPhDinS&Tandthe appropriateflowtotheprivatesectorcommensuratewiththeLisbonandBarcelona objectivesandincreasetheshareofwomenamongnewresearchers;3)anappropriate balanceofR&DpersonnelinflowtotheEUfromtherestoftheworldformutualbenefit; ii) INVITEStheCommissionandMemberStatestoworktogethertosupportnational, internationalandcommunityactionsforincreasinghumanresourcesforscienceand technologyinEuropeandpromotingtheappropriateflowtotheprivatesector commensuratewiththeLisbonandBarcelonaobjectives,aswellasforboostingthe attractiontoEuropeofhighlyqualifiedscientists,namelyinstimulatingattractivecareers andinpromotingthedevelopmentofEuropeannetworksandcentresofexcellencefor highereducationandresearchofworldclass,abletocompeteforthebesthumanresources ataglobalscale; iii) INVITEStheCommissiontoconsolidateitsactivitiesformonitoringthedevelopmentsin humanresourcesinS&Tandtodevelopacomprehensivesetofmeasurableindicatorsfor thegrowth,attractionandretentionofhumanresourcesinscienceandtechnologyin Europe,incooperationwithMemberStatesandrelevantinternationalorganisationssuch asOECD,withaviewtofulfillinganobservatoryfunction; iv) INVITEStheCommissiontoprovideanassessmentofstillexistingkeybarriersto mobilityofresearcherswithintheEUandsuggestanoverallplantoremovethosebarriers andtoworkwithMemberStatestoremovethosebarriers,takingintoaccounttheneedsof highlymobileresearchersandengineers,includingthoseintheareasofemploymentand socialpolicy.

B. To reinforce competitive incentives and market conditions for business research and innovation i) INVITESMemberStatestofurtherdevelopstrategiesandpoliciestocombinethethree pillarsoftheknowledgetriangle(education,research,innovation). ii) INVITEStheCommissionandMemberStatestofurtherincreasetheireffortstostimulate industrytomakefulluseoftheCommunityfundingavailableforR&Dandinnovation.

14865/07(Presse259) 34 EN 22.23.XI.2007 iii) INVITEStheMemberStatesandtheCommissiontoenhancedataandknowledgesharing, inparticulartheuseofdataandresultsfrompubliclyfundedresearchresultsacross Europe,buildingupontheexistingCommunicationonknowledgetransferandthe Commission'sintentiontoproposeavoluntaryEuropeanIntellectualPropertyCodeof Practice,asrequestedbyCouncilinJune2007. iv) INVITEStheCommissiontogetherwiththeMemberStates andincollaborationwiththe EuropeanInvestmentBank(EIB)andotherpotentialfinancialpartnerstocontinuetostudy waystoimproveconditionsforR&Dfunding,notablybuildingupontheexperience,as partofthemidtermevaluationofFP7fromtheRiskSharingFinancingFacility(RSFF), tofosteradditionalinvestmentinEuropeanresearchanddevelopment,takingin considerationemergingdevelopmentsinthesize,integration,andtechnologiesavailablein globalcapitalmarkets.

C. To optimise the use of public resources for R&D programmes, R&D infrastructures and international cooperation i) INVITESMemberStatestoencourageResearchCouncilsandNationalFundingAgencies inMemberStates,aswellasintergovernmentalEuropeanResearchOrganisations,to expandtheircollaborationandtodeviseinnovativeformsofpoolingtogethertheir expertiseandresourcesonamutualvoluntarybasisforjointobjectives.Thesemight includeR&Dinfrastructures,collaborationinthecreationandstrengtheningofpoolsof excellenceofcriticalmass,thefullinternationalisationand/orsharedapproachesto researchevaluationacrossEuropeandtotheencouragementofbroadercompetitionfor researchfundingatnationallevel.ItaskstheCommissiontocatalyseprogresswhenever appropriate. ii) INVITESMemberStatestoencouragepublicandprivateresearchinstitutionstomakefull useoftheemergingdistributedformsofresearchactivity(namelyeScience)basedupon internationalresearchnetworksmadepossiblebytheavailabilityandworldclassunique qualityofdistributedEuropeannetworkinfrastructureslikeGEANTandGRID. iii) INVITEStheMemberStates,withsupportfromtheCommissionwhereappropriate,to developandstrengthentheirnationalroadmapsandstrategiesonresearchinfrastructures takingintoaccountalongtermvisionofEuropeanscienceandtheworkundertakenbythe EuropeanStrategyForumonResearchInfrastructures(ESFRI)andconsidering,when appropriate,anefficientuseofthestructuralfundstothisobjective. iv) INVITEStheCommissionandMemberStatestocontinueexchangesofinformation,and mutuallearningwhereappropriateonnationalscienceandtechnologypoliciesinMember StatesaimedatcontributingtotheLisbongoals,includingnotablyonthereformsof Universitiesandhighereducationsystemsaswellasotherpublicresearchinstitutions,and thelevelofnetworkingacrossinstitutions.

14865/07(Presse259) 35 EN 22.23.XI.2007 v) INVITEStheMemberStatesandtheCommissiontoworkmorecloselytogetherinthe areaofinternationalcooperationinS&Tinordertoincreasetheeffectivenessofthe existingactivitiesandtoincreaseEurope'scontributiontotacklingglobalchallengesand NOTEStheCommission'sintentiontoproposeapolicyframeworkforS&Tinternational cooperationinordertofacilitatesuchjointandcomplementaryactionsatnationaland Europeanlevel. vi) INVITESMemberStatesandtheCommissiontodeepentheirdialoguewithregardtothe modernisationofEuropeanUniversities. 1

o

o o

TheCouncilCALLSontheEuropeanCounciltoconsidertheabovementionedobjectivesinits longtermvisionforthedevelopmentoftheEUasaworldclasscompetitiveknowledgeeconomy andsociety."

1 SeeCouncilResolution,doc.15007/07. 14865/07(Presse259) 36 EN 22.23.XI.2007

SCIENTIFIC INFORMATION IN THE DIGITAL AGE – Council conclusions

TheCounciladoptedthefollowingCouncilconclusions:

"THECOUNCILOFTHEEUROPEANUNION

RECALLING:

– the24August2006CommissionRecommendationon"thedigitisationandonline accessibilityofculturalmaterialanddigitalpreservation"(OJ2006/L236/28)andthe relatedCouncilConclusionsof13November2006(OJ2006/C297/01);

– the14February2007CommissionCommunicationon"scientificinformationinthedigital age:access,disseminationandpreservation"COM(2007)56;

– the4April2007CommissionGreenPaperon"theEuropeanResearchArea:New Perspectives"COM(2007)161;

– TheOECD'sPrinciplesandGuidelinesforAccesstoResearchDatafromPublicFunding, agreedbyallOECDCountriesin2007.

CONSIDERINGthat:

– accesstoanddisseminationofscientificinformation–publicationsanddata–arecrucial forthedevelopmentoftheEuropeanResearchArea,andcanhelpaccelerateinnovation;

– theInternethascreatedunprecedentedpossibilitiestodisseminate,shareandbuildonthe outcomeofresearchefforts;

– InformationandCommunicationTechnologiesrevolutionisethewayscientists communicate,performresearchandproduceknowledge;

– inaneraofhighspeedconnectivityandhighperformancecomputing,dataemergesaskey formodernscience;

– thesystemsbywhichscientificinformationispublishedarepivotalforitsdissemination andqualitycontrol,inparticularthroughpeerreview,andthushaveamajorimpacton researchfundingpoliciesandontheexcellenceofEuropeanresearch;

14865/07(Presse259) 37 EN 22.23.XI.2007

– universities,libraries,researchperformingandresearchfundingorganisations,scientific publishersandotherstakeholdershaveinrecentyearsmadeconsiderableinvestmentsin informationtechnologiesforonlineaccessibility;

– effectiveandlonglastingdigitalpreservationofscientificinformationisfundamentalfor thecurrentandfuturedevelopmentofEuropeanresearch;

1) WELCOMES

– theCommunicationCOM(2007)56on"scientificinformationinthedigitalage:access, disseminationandpreservation"asabasisforfurtherworkattheEuropeanlevelonthe accessibilityandpreservationofscientificinformation.

2) RECOGNISES

– themajorcontributionofuniversities,internationalresearchorganisations,researchbodies, librariesandotherpublicorganisations,aswellasofscientificpublishers,tothescientific disseminationprocess;

– thatnew,Internetbaseddisseminationmodelshavetriggeredamajordebateinvolvingall concernedstakeholdersonaccesstoanddisseminationofscientificinformationandin particularonaccesstopeerreviewedscientificarticles;

– thatoverthepastyearsscientificlibraries'capacitytoprovideresearcherswithaccesstoa widerangeofpublicationshasbeenaffectedbyrisingoverallpricesofscientificjournals (includingelectronicdistributionofpublications);

– thestrategicimportanceforEurope'sscientificdevelopmentofcurrentinitiativesto developsustainablemodelsforopenaccesstoscientificinformation.

3) UNDERLINES

– theneedtoensurerapidandwideaccesstopubliclyfundedresearchresults;

– thatMemberStateshaveastronginterestinanefficientscientificinformationsystemthat maximisesthesocioeconomicimpactofpublicinvestmentsinresearchandtechnological development;

– theimportanceofscientificoutputresultingfrompubliclyfundedresearchbeingavailable ontheInternetatnocosttothereaderundereconomicallyviablecircumstances,including delayedopenaccess;

14865/07(Presse259) 38 EN 22.23.XI.2007

– thecrossbordernatureofmanyresearchendeavours,oftheirfundingsources,andoftheir disseminationchannels;

– theimportanceofbetteraccesstounprocesseddataandrepositoryresourcesfordataand materialthatallowsfreshanalysisandutilisationbeyondwhattheoriginatorofthedata hadenvisaged;

– thatnewformsofelectroniccommunicationhavethepotentialtoenableopenaccessto dataandscientificpublications,andprovideauniqueopportunityfortheopen developmentofspecificdatamining,analysisandintegrationtools,possiblyenhancedby commonformatstandards;

– thatpoliciesandpracticesintheMemberStatesonaccesstoandpreservationofscientific publicationsandresearchdataaredevelopingatdifferentspeeds;

– theimportanceofeffectivecollaborationbetweendifferentactors,includingfunding agencies,researchers,researchinstitutionsandscientificpublishers,inrelationtoaccess, disseminationandpreservationofscientificpublicationsandresearchdata;

4) TAKESNOTE

– ofrecentreportscallingontheCommissiontoimproveaccesstoresultsstemmingfrom theresearchitfunds,includingreportsoftheEuropeanResearchAdvisoryBoardandthe EuropeanResearchCouncil'sScientificCouncilsupportingopenaccesstoCommunity fundedresearchresults;

– oftheintentionoftheCommissiontosupportfurtherresearchonthescientificpublication system,andtocarryoutastudyontheeconomicaspectsofdigitalpreservation.

5) INVITESTHEMEMBERSTATES

AsfirststepsandinlinewiththeAnnex,to

– reinforcenationalstrategiesandstructuresforaccesstoandpreservationanddissemination ofscientificinformation,tacklingorganisational,legal,technicalandfinancialissues;

– enhancethecoordinationbetweenMemberStates,largeresearchinstitutionsandfunding bodiesonaccess,preservationanddisseminationpoliciesandpractices;

14865/07(Presse259) 39 EN 22.23.XI.2007

– maximiseaccessforresearchersandstudentstoscientificpublications,inparticularby improvingpublicprocurementpracticesinrelationtoscientificinformation;thiscould includeexchanginginformationonthesepracticesandincreasingthetransparencyofthe contractualtermsof"bigdeals",andexploringthepossibilitiesforfundingbodies, researchinstitutionsandscientificpublishersfromdifferentMemberStatestowork togetherinordertoachieveeconomiesofscaleandefficientuseofpublicfundsby demandaggregation;

– ensurethelongtermpreservationofscientificinformation–includingpublicationsand data– andpaydueattentiontoscientificinformationinnationalinformationpreservation strategies;

6) INVITESTHECOMMISSIONTO

AsfirststepsandinlinewiththeAnnex,to

– monitorgoodpracticesinrelationtoopenaccesstoEuropeanscientificproduction, includingthosearisingfromlargescaleexperimentsbyscientificcommunitiesandlarge researchinstitutions,andencouragethedevelopmentofnewmodelsthatcouldimprove accesstoEuropeanscientificresearchresults;

– monitorthecurrentsituationofpublicvirtualscientificlibrariesintheEUandother ongoingdevelopmentsacrossEuroperelatingtoaccessofstudentsandresearchersto scientificinformationandtoitsdigitalpreservation,aswellastherelevantlegal frameworkconditionsthatmayhaveanimpactonaccesstothisinformation;

– experimentwithopenaccesstoscientificdataandpublicationsresultingfromprojects fundedbytheEUResearchFrameworkProgrammesinordertoassesstheappropriateness ofadoptingspecificcontractualrequirements;

– encourageresearchintodigitalpreservation,aswellasexperimentsonandwide deploymentofscientificdatainfrastructureswithcrossborder,crossinstitutionandcross disciplineaddedvalueforopenaccesstoandpreservationofscientificinformation;

– supportandcontributetoimprovingpolicycoordinationandtofosteringaconstructive debateandexchangeofinformationbetweenstakeholders.

______

14865/07(Presse259) 40 EN 22.23.XI.2007

ANNEX

A. Invitation to the Member States to:

1. Reinforce national strategies and structures for access to and dissemination of scientific information by:

definingclearpoliciesfordisseminationofandaccesstoscientific 2008 information,includingtheassociatedfinancialplanning; promoting,throughthesepolicies,accessthroughtheinternettotheresults 2008 ofpubliclyfinancedresearch,atnocosttothereader,takinginto onwards considerationeconomicallysustainablewaysofdoingthis,including delayedopenaccess assessinginasystematicwayconditionsaffectingaccesstoscientific 2008 information,including: thewayinwhichresearchersexercisetheircopyrightsonscientific articles; thelevelofinvestmentsinthedisseminationofscientificinformation ascomparedtototalinvestmentsinresearch; theuseoffinancialmechanismstoimproveaccess,suchasrefunding VATfordigitaljournalsubscriptionstolibraries; ensuringthatrepositoriesofscientificinformationaresustainableand 2010 interoperable; bringingtogethermainstakeholdersinthedebateonscientificinformation 2008 (scientists,fundingbodies,libraries,scientificpublishers)

14865/07(Presse259) 41 EN 22.23.XI.2007

2. Enhance the coordination between Member States on access and dissemination policies and practices by:

exploringthepossibilityfornationalfundingbodiestodefinecommonbasic 2008 principlesonopenaccess; improvingtransparencyofthecontractualtermsof'bigdeals'financedwith 2008 publicmoneyandassessingthepossibilitiestoachieveeconomiesofscaleby demandaggregation; workingtowardstheinteroperabilityofnationalrepositoriesofscientific 2009 informationinordertofacilitateaccessibilityandsearchabilityofscientific informationbeyondnationalborders; contributingtoaneffectiveoverviewofprogressatEuropeanlevel,informing 2008 theCommissionofresultsandexperienceswithalternativemodelsforthe disseminationofscientificinformation. 3. Ensure the long term preservation of scientific information – including publications and data – and pay due attention to scientific information in national preservation strategies by:

definingastructuredapproachtothelongtermpreservationofscientific Mid2008 informationandincorporatingthisapproachinnationalplansfordigital preservationestablishedinlinewiththeCommissionRecommendationof24 August2006andCouncilConclusionsof13November2006ononline accessibilitytoculturalmaterialanddigitalpreservation; takingintoaccountthespecificcharacteristicsofscientificinformationwhen 2009 settingupthelegislativeframework(includinglegaldeposit)orpracticalsetup fordigitalpreservation.

14865/07(Presse259) 42 EN 22.23.XI.2007

B. Invitation to the Commission to implement the measures announced in the Communication on "scientific information in the digital age: access, dissemination and preservation", and in particular to:

1. Experiment with open access to scientific publications resulting from projects funded by the EU Research Framework Programmes by:

definingandimplementingconcreteexperimentswithopenaccesstoscientific 2008 publicationsresultingfromCommunityfundedresearch ,includingwithdelayed onwards openaccess.

2. Support experiments and infrastructures with a cross-border added-value for access to and preservation of scientific information by:

cofundingofresearchinfrastructures,inparticularbylinkingdigitalrepositories 2007 atEuropeanlevelandcofundingresearchondigitalpreservationwithinFP7; onwards supportingexperimentswithopenaccesswithaclearcrossborderaddedvalue.

3. Contribute to improved policy coordination between Member States and to a constructive debate between stakeholders by:

bringingtogether,attheEuropeanlevel,concernedstakeholdersinthedebateon 2007 scientificinformation onwards monitoringgoodpracticesinrelationtoopenaccesstoEuropeanscientific 2008 production. onwards

14865/07(Presse259) 43 EN 22.23.XI.2007

MODERNISING UNIVERSITIES FOR EUROPE'S COMPETITIVENESS – Council Resolution

TheCounciladoptedthefollowingResolution:

"THECOUNCILOFTHEEUROPEANUNION

RECALLINGthepoliticalbackgroundtothisissueassetoutintheAnnextothisResolution:

REAFFIRMS:

1. TheneedtoadvanceinbringingaboutthemodernisationofEurope'suniversities, addressingtheirinterlinkedrolesineducation,researchandinnovation,asakeyelementof Europe'sdrivetocreateaknowledgebasedsocietyandeconomyandimproveits competitiveness;

2. Theimportanceofincreasinglifelonglearningopportunities,wideninghighereducation accesstonontraditionalandadultlearnersanddevelopingthelifelonglearningdimension ofuniversities;

3. Theimportanceofcreatinggreateropportunitiesforwomentopursuecareersinscience;

4. Theprinciplethatmotivatedandtalentedstudentsshouldbeabletotakeadvantageof mobilityopportunities,irrespectiveoftheirsocialoreconomicbackground,andtheneedto increasenotonlythemobilityofstudents,butalsothatofresearchers,teachersandother universitystaff;

5. Theneedforuniversitiestohavesufficientautonomy,bettergovernanceand accountabilityintheirstructurestofacenewsocietalneedsandtoenablethemtoincrease anddiversifytheirsourcesofpublicandprivatefundinginordertoreducethefundinggap withtheEuropeanUnion'smaincompetitors;

6. TheimportanceofQualityAssuranceasapowerfuldriverofchangeinhighereducation;

7. Theroleofuniversities,througheducation,researchandinnovation,inthetransferof knowledgetotheeconomyandsocietyasamaincontributiontoEurope'scompetitiveness andtheneedforclosercooperationbetweenacademiaandtheworldofenterprise.

RECOGNISES:

1. theneedforconsistencyintheworktowardstheEuropeanHigherEducationAreaonthe onehand,andtheEuropeanResearchAreaontheother;

14865/07(Presse259) 44 EN 22.23.XI.2007

2. thatthechallengesposedbyglobalisationrequirethattheEuropeanHigherEducationArea andtheEuropeanResearchAreabefullyopentotheworldandthatEurope'suniversities aimtobecomeworldwidecompetitiveplayers;

3. theneedtoacceleratereformofuniversitiesinordernotonlytostimulateprogressacross thewholehighereducationsystembutalsotofostertheemergenceandstrengtheningof Europeanhighereducationinstitutionswhichcandemonstratetheirexcellenceat internationallevel;

4. theneedtoincreasemobilityofstudents,researchers,teachersandotheruniversitystaff whileatthesametimerecognisingtheimportanceofhavingabroadsocialcompositionof thosebenefitingfromsuchmobility;

5. thatincreasedlifelonglearningopportunities,wideningaccesstohighereducationforall, includingnontraditionallearners,andimprovingemployability,arekeyobjectivesof highereducationpolicybothatEuropeanandnationallevel.

INVITESTHEMEMBERSTATESTO:

1. Promoteexcellenceinhighereducationandresearchbydevelopinginstitutionsand networksabletocompeteinternationallyandtocontributetoattractingtoEuropethebest talent,andprovidingtheseinstitutionswiththeautonomytodeveloptheirfullpotential;

2. Promotetheinternationalisationofhighereducationinstitutionsbyencouragingquality assurancethroughindependentevaluationandpeerreviewofuniversities,enhancing mobility,promotingtheuseofjointanddoubledegreesandfacilitatingrecognitionof qualificationsandperiodsofstudy;

3. Takethenecessarymeasurestomodernisehighereducationinstitutionsbygrantingthem autonomyandgreateraccountabilitytoenablethem:

– toimprovetheirmanagementpractices

– todeveloptheirinnovativecapacity;and

– tostrengthentheircapacitytomodernisetheircurriculatomeetlabourmarketand learnerneedsmoreeffectively;

andtoenhanceaccesstohighereducation,therebymeetingtherequirementsofeconomic andtechnologicalcompetitivenessandbroadersocietalgoals;

14865/07(Presse259) 45 EN 22.23.XI.2007

4. Promote thecontributionofhighereducationinstitutionstoinnovation,growthand employment,aswellastosocialandculturallife,byencouragingthemtodevelopand reinforce partnershipswith otherparties,suchastheprivatesector,researchinstitutions, regionalandlocalauthoritiesandcivilsociety;

5. Putintoplaceconcreteincentivestoencouragehighereducationinstitutionstoopenupto nontraditionallearnersandadultstudentsandfurtherdeveloptheirroleinlifelong learning increasing,whenappropriate,thediversityofthetertiaryeducationsystem;

6. Developbetterlearningandresearchenvironmentsforstudentsandyoungresearchers,by strengtheningprojectbasedlearningandearlyinvolvementofstudentsinresearch, especiallyintheareasofscienceandtechnology;

7. Takemeasurestoensurethatstudentandresearchersupportsystemspromotethewidest possibleandmostequitableparticipationinmobilityschemes,suchasimprovingaccessto highereducationforallmotivatedandtalentedstudentsandresearchers,includingthose withdisabilities,regardlessofgender,income,social,orlinguisticbackground,and broadeningthesocialdimensionofhighereducationbyprovidingbettersupportfor studentsandresearchersintheEUandinformationonstudy,mobilityandcareer opportunities,withaviewtoensuringthebestpossibletrainingopportunitiesforall.One ofthesemeasurescouldbetocontributetothemonitoringofthesocialdimensionin highereducation,sothatinternationallycomparabledatawillbecomeavailableonthis topic;

8. EnhancetheattractivenessofEuropeanhighereducationsystemsbyencouraging institutionstofullyusethecooperationandmobilityopportunities,namelythoseoffered bytheErasmusMundusprogrammeforthepromotionofacademicexcellenceatworld widelevel;

9. Makeuseofthestructuralfundsformodernisinghighereducation.

INVITESTHECOMMISSIONtosupporttheMemberStateswithregardtothemodernisation agenda,andinparticularto:

1. Identify,inconsultationwiththerelevanthighereducationandresearchstakeholders,as wellasnationalauthorities,possiblemeasurestoaddressthechallengesandobstaclesthat universitiesintheEuropeanUnionfaceinrealisingtheirmodernisationandinfully contributingtothegoalsoftheLisbonagenda;

2. Facilitate mutuallearning,inthecontextoftheLisbonAgenda,inparticularwithinthe EducationandTraining2010workprogrammeandthefollowupoftheGreenPaperon theERA,aswellasthroughencouragingpartnershipsbetweenuniversitiesand industry/privatesector;

14865/07(Presse259) 46 EN 22.23.XI.2007

3. Identifypossiblemeasurestoaddresstheobstaclestothemobilityofstudents,teachersand researchersacrossEuropeandinparticulartothemutualrecognitionofcreditsand diplomasandpromotetheexchangeofgoodpracticesinthisregard;

4. Monitorandassesstheimpactof,inliaisonwithnationalprogrammestructures:

– thesocialbackgroundofstudentsparticipatinginERASMUS,

– thecontributionofERASMUStothemodernisationagenda

– thecontributionofERASMUSMUNDUStotheinternationalattractivenessof EuropeanUniversities

andreportbacktotheMemberStatesonthisbymid2008.

14865/07(Presse259) 47 EN 22.23.XI.2007

ANNEX

PoliticalBackground

(1) CommunityactionineducationandtrainingisbasedonArticles149and150ofthe Treaty.

(2) TheEuropeanCouncils,ofLisboninMarch2000andBarcelonainMarch2002 respectively,agreedtosetastrategicgoalfortheEuropeanUniontobecomethemost competitiveanddynamicknowledgebasedeconomyintheworldby2010,tomakethe educationandtrainingsystemsoftheEuropeanUnionaworldqualityreferenceby2010 andcreate aEuropeanResearchandInnovationArea.

(3) TheResolutionoftheCouncilandoftheRepresentativesoftheMemberStates,meeting withintheCouncil,onmobilisingthebrainpowerofEurope:enablinghighereducationto makeitsfullcontributiontotheLisbonstrategy 1underlinestheimportanceofthereforms tohighereducation.

(4) TheEuropeanHeadsofStateandGovernment,attheInformalEuropeanSummitat HamptonCourt(UK)inOctober2005andtheEuropeanCouncilinMarch2007, highlightedtheimportanceoftheknowledgetriangle:education,researchandinnovation forthecompetitivenessoftheEuropeanUnion.TheyinvitedtheCommissiontoidentify concreteactionswhichwouldbuildontheCommission'sCommunications"Theroleof universitiesintheEuropeofknowledge" 2and"MobilisingthebrainpowerofEurope: enablinguniversitiestomaketheirfullcontributiontotheLisbonStrategy" 3.

(5) TheCommission'sCommunication"DeliveringontheModernisationAgendafor Universities:Education,Research,Innovation"ofMay2006 4,pointedtonineareaswhere actionwouldhelpuniversitiestomodernise.TheEuropeanCouncilinJune2006calledfor afollowuptotheCommission'sCommunicationandencouragedMemberStatesto promoteexcellenceandfostermodernisation,restructuringandinnovationinthehigher educationsectorinordertounlockitspotentialandtounderpinEurope'sdriveformore growthandjobs.

1 OJC292/1,24.11.2005. 2 COM(2003)58final. 3 COM(2005)152final. 4 COM(2006)208final. 14865/07(Presse259) 48 EN 22.23.XI.2007

(6) TheCommission'sGreenpaperofApril2007"theEuropeanResearchArea:new perspectives"servedasabasisforbroadstakeholderconsultationandinstitutionaland publicdebate.Ithighlightstheneedtostrengthentheroleofuniversitiesandresearch institutionsinpromotingexcellence.

(7) The"Aho"GroupReportonCreatinganinnovativeEuropecallsforstrongerinteraction betweenuniversitiesandotherstakeholdersininnovation.

(8) TheintergovernmentalBolognaprocessof46participatingcountrieshasresultedin progresstomakeEuropeanhighereducationmorecompetitiveinternationallyandin reformingsomeaspectsofhighereducation,includingmeasurestoincreasemobilityand makeEurope'scitizensmoreemployablethroughthecreationoftheEuropeanHigher EducationArea.

(9) TheDecisionoftheEuropeanParliamentandoftheCouncilof15November2006 establishinganactionprogrammeinthefieldoflifelonglearning20072013 1isbasedon thepremisethatanadvancedknowledgesocietyisthekeytohighergrowthand employmentrates,andthateducationandtrainingareessentialprioritiesfortheEuropean UnioninordertoachievetheLisbongoals.

(10) TheErasmusprogrammewithintheLifelongLearningprogrammepursuesthedual objectivesofsupportingtheachievementofaEuropeanAreaofHigherEducationandof reinforcingthecontributionofhighereducationandadvancedvocationaleducationtothe processofinnovation,andsupportstothisendinparticularlargescalemobilityof universitystaffandstudentsaswellasmultilateralprojectsandnetworksfocussingon innovation,experimentation,thedevelopmentofnewconceptsandcompetencesandthe modernisationofhighereducationinstitutionsinEurope.

(11) TheDecisionoftheEuropeanParliamentandtheCouncilof18December2006onthe SeventhFrameworkProgrammeoftheEuropeanCommunityforresearch,technological developmentanddemonstrationactivities(20072013),withtheSpecificProgramme “Ideas”andtheEuropeanResearchCouncilbaseduponit,providesimportantnew instrumentswhichwillinfluencetheresearchactivitieswithinEuropeanuniversities.

(12) TheCommissionmadeaproposalinNovember2006 2toestablishtheEuropeanInstitute ofTechnologytopromoteintegratedinnovation,researchandhighereducationactivities, andtheCompetitivenessCouncilagreedinitsmeetingof25June2007onageneral approachwithregardtotheproposal.

1 DecisionNo1720/2006/EC,OJL327/45,24.11.2006 2 COM(2006)604final/2. 14865/07(Presse259) 49 EN 22.23.XI.2007

(13) TheCommission'sproposaltorenewtheErasmusMundusprogrammefortheperiod 2009–2013aimstoenhancequalityinhighereducationandthepromotionofintercultural understanding,contributingtotheattractivenessofEuropeanhighereducationsystemsand academicexcellencethroughinnovativeandextensivecooperationwiththirdcountries.

(14) TheContributionoftheCommissiontotheOctoberMeetingofHeadsofStateand Governmentheldon1819OctoberinLisbon"TheEuropeanInterest:Succeedinginthe ageofglobalisation",inparticularthesectionon"MoreR&Dandinnovation"emphasised theimportanceofhighereducationmodernisationintheexternaldimensionoftheLisbon Strategy.

14865/07(Presse259) 50 EN 22.23.XI.2007

NANOSCIENCES AND NANOTECHNOLOGIES – Council conclusions

THECOUNCILOFTHEEUROPEANUNION,

NOTINGthecommunicationfromtheCommissiontotheCouncil,theEuropeanParliamentand theEuropeanEconomicandSocialCommitteeentitled"NanosciencesandNanotechnologies:An actionplanforEurope20052009.FirstImplementationReport20052007",

RECOGNIZING:

• ThattheroleofnanosciencesandnanotechnologiesiscrucialfortheimprovementofEurope's competitivenessandthequalityoflifeofitscitizens,andtoachievetheeconomic,social,and environmentalgoalsoftherenewedLisbonStrategy;

• Theneedtofostersynergiesandcooperationbetweenallstakeholders,includingtheMember States,theEuropeanCommission,academia,researchcentres,industry,financialbodies,NGOs andsocietyatlarge;

• Thatprogresscanonlybeachievedwiththefullinvolvementoftheprivatesector,andthatthe EuropeanTechnologyPlatformsandtheENIACJointTechnologyInitiativearevaluabletoolsto bringforwardtheR&Deffortsinthefieldofnanosciencesandnanotechnologies;

• ThatgreaterprivateinvestmentisneededtosupporttheactionsoftheEuropeanUnion,viathe FrameworkProgrammesforResearchandDevelopment,andthoseundertakenbytheMember States;

• Thepotentialofintegratingthedifferentscientificandtechnologicaldisciplineswithina convergingapproachtosustainthedevelopmentofnanosciencesandnanotechnologiesin Europe,andtoprovideforseamlesscooperationbetweentheactorsinvolvedinthe implementationofinitiatives,encouragingjointcallswithintheSeventhFrameworkProgramme forResearchandDevelopment;

• Theneedtosupporttheadequatedevelopmentofinterdisciplinaryinfrastructuresandthe trainingofhumanresources;

• ThatconditionsmustbecreatedforthedevelopmentandfurthergrowthofEuropeancentresof excellenceinnanosciencesandnanotechnologies,sothatthesecanattractandretainthebest researchersintheworld;

• Thatasafeandresponsibledevelopmentofnanotechnologiesisessential,andnotinginthis contextthereviewofcurrentregulationundertakenbytheEuropeanCommissionandtheopen consultationitlaunchedamongthepublicandstakeholdersonapossiblecodeofconduct;

14865/07(Presse259) 51 EN 22.23.XI.2007

• Andthatcurrentlyraisingworldinvestmentsinnanosciencesandnanotechnologies,particularly bytheUnion'smajorcompetitors,theUSAandAsia,requiresincreasedinvestmentandpolitical attentioninEurope.

UNDERLINESthatamorerapidandsuccessfuldevelopmentofthenanoscienceand nanotechnologysectorisofvitalstrategicimportanceforEuropeancompetitiveness,andrequires strongercoordinationoftheenergeticeffortsalreadyundertakenbyalargenumberofpublicand privateactorsatEuropean,nationalandregionallevel;

RECOGNIZEStheneedtosupporttheadequatedevelopmentofinterdisciplinaryinfrastructures andthetrainingofhumanresources,inordertocreateadequateconditionsforthedevelopmentof Europeancentresofexcellenceinnanosciencesandnanotechnologies,sothatthesecanattractand retainworldclassresearchers;

STRESSESthatnotonlythepublicandprivateeffortsinresearch,technologicaldevelopmentand innovation,butalsothewiderframeworkconditionsforsuccessofthenanotechnologysectorinthe Europeaninternalmarketrequireconstantandcarefulattention;

UNDERLINESthatasafe,integratedandresponsibledevelopmentanduseofnanotechnologiesis essential;

RECOGNISESthat,whererequired,newormodifiedtestingmethodsshouldbedevelopedforthe evaluationofpotentialrisksofnanoprojectstotheenvironmentorhumanhealth;

NOTESinthiscontextthereviewofcurrentregulationundertakenbytheEuropeanCommission andtheopenconsultationitlaunchedamongthepublicandstakeholdersonapossiblecodeof conduct;

INVITESMemberStatestoprovideinputtotheCommissioninviewofitsregularreportingandto considercomprehensiveandintegratedapproachestocreatingthebestcompetitiveenvironmentto advancedtrainingandresearch,bystimulatingnationalandinternationalnetworksofcompetence inthefieldsofthenanosciencesandnanotechnologies,involvingindustryandacademiawhere appropriate.

INVITESMemberStatestoencourageuniversities,researchorganisationsandindustryto cooperateinviewofattractingtoEuropethebesttalentsinthosefieldsandtoboostimprovement inindustrialproductsandprocesses.

INVITEStheCommissionto:

– Continuemonitoringnanotechnologydevelopmentanduse,andpromotingthesharingofgood practiceinregulatoryandriskgovernanceissues,inordertokeepnanotechnologyresearchand implementationsafeandresponsible;

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– Reportregularlyand,whereappropriate,makerecommendationstotheCouncilandthe EuropeanParliamentonthestateofEuropeancompetitivenessinnanoscienceand nanotechnology,andtheroleofEurope’sindustry,universitiesandresearchinstitutions.

SuchreportingshalldrawoninputsfromtheMemberStatesandonthereviewofthe developmentofthefieldatworldlevel.Itshouldcovernationalpoliciesandintergovernmental activitiesaswellasCommunityprogrammes.Itcouldaddress,amongothers,technological developments,researchcapacity,humanresourcesandadvancedtraining,scientificresults,pre normativeR&D,socioeconomicimpact,regulatorymeasures,riskgovernanceissues,public awarenessandscientificcultureactionsonnanoscienceandnanotechnology,andother appropriatedimensions.

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ANY OTHER BUSINESS

TheCounciltooknoteofinformationregardingthefollowingissues:

• ThereviewoftheSingleMarket(15651/07) .

• Freemovementofgoods:

TheCounciltooknoteofthestateofplayon:

– adraftRegulationlayingdownproceduresrelatingtotheapplicationofcertain technicalrulestoproductslawfullymarketedinanotherMemberState;

– adraftRegulationsettingouttherequirementsforaccreditationandmarketsurveillance relatingtothemarketingofproducts;and

– adraftDecisiononacommonframeworkforthemarketingofproducts.

• AdraftDecisiononclassification,labellingandpackagingofsubstancesandmixtures,and amendingDirective67/548/EECandRegulation1907/2006 (13894/07) .

• AdraftDecisionontheparticipationbytheCommunityinaresearchanddevelopment programmeaimedatsupportingresearchanddevelopmentperformingSMEsundertakenby severalMemberStates(EUROSTARS)(13088/07) .

• Productsafety:outcomeofthestocktakingexercise (15424/07).

• Servicesofgeneralinterest(15650/07) .

• Aforthcomingreviewofthetradedefenceinstruments.

• AproposalforaRegulationsettingupafuelcellsandhydrogenjointundertaking(13843/07) .

• Thecurrentstateofplayconcerningtheproposal (12555/04) foraDirectiveamendingDirective 98/71/EConthelegalprotectionofdesigns,whichaimsatliberalising,asfarasprotectionunder designlawisconcerned,themarketforthosesparepartswhichareintendedtorestorethe appearanceofcomplexproducts.

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• Thefollowingevents:

– Conference"TheInternetofThings",dealingwithradiofrequencyidentificationissues (Lisbon,1516November (14681/07)).

– Forum"FinancingInnovationFromIdeastoMarket"(Estoril,89October)

– VIEuropeanTourismForum(Algarve,2527October)

– Conference"TowardsaEuropeanCollectiveRedress?"(Lisbon,910November)

– Conference"ICTuptakeforSMEscompetitiveness"(Lisbon,13November)

– HighlevelmeetingonmodernisinguniversitiesinEurope(Lisbon,6November)

– Highlevelconferenceonnanotechnologies(Braga,2021November)

– ConferenceonthefutureofscienceandtechnologyinEurope(Lisbon,810October)

• TheworkprogrammeoftheincomingSlovenianPresidency.

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OTHER ITEMS APPROVED

DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION

Togo – Consultations under the ACP-EU agreement

TheCouncilapprovedadraftlettertobecosignedbytheCommissionandsenttothePresidentof Togo,withaviewtorevokingthemeasuresadoptedunderArticle96oftheACPEUpartnership agreement(14133/07) .

TheletterpointsoutthepositivedevelopmentofthepoliticalsituationinTogoinaccordancewith thetermsoftheComprehensivePoliticalAgreementofAugust2006,andinvitestheTogolese authoritiestoresumeanindepthpoliticaldialoguewiththeEU.

SinceApril2004,theTogoleseRepublichasbeensubjecttotheconsultationprocedureprovided forinArticle96oftheCotonouAgreement.Developmentcooperationwasreestablishedin2007 tosupporttheorganisationofelections,justicereformandtheprotectionofhumanrights.

TheEUwelcomedthepeacefulconductoftheparliamentaryelectionsof14OctoberinTogo,asan importantsteptowardstheconsolidationofdemocracy.

FISHERIES

Partnership agreement with Mozambique

TheCounciladoptedaRegulationapprovingtheconclusionofaFisheriesPartnershipAgreement withtheRepublicofMozambique(13152/07+COR1).ItalsoadoptedaDecisionapprovingthe conclusionofanagreementontheprovisionalapplicationofthisAgreementfrom1January2007 (13149/07+COR 1).

ThefishingopportunitiessetoutintheProtocoltotheAgreementwillbeallocatedasfollows:

– purseseinevessels:Spain23licences,France20licencesandItaly1licence;

– longliners:Spain23licences,France11,Portugal9andUnitedKingdom2.

TheEUwillprovideanannualcontributionofEUR650000equivalenttoareferencetonnageof 10000tonnesperyear,plusEUR250000peryearforthesupportandimplementationof Mozambique'sfisheriespolicy.

Theagreementwillapplyforfiveyearsfromthedateofitsentryintoforceandmayberenewedfor additionalperiodsoffiveyears.

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JUSTICE AND HOME AFFAIRS

EU/Moldova – Visa facilitation and readmission agreement

TheCounciladopteddecisionsapprovingtheconclusionofanAgreementbetweentheEUand MoldovaonfacilitatingtheissuanceofvisastocitizensoftheEUandMoldova,aswellasan Agreementonreadmission (13808/07, 13765/07) .

Thepurposeofthevisaagreementistofacilitate,onthebasisofreciprocity,theissuanceofvisas foranintendedstayofnomorethan90daysperperiodof180daystocitizensoftheEUand Moldova.ThefeeforprocessingvisaapplicationsfromcitizenswillbeEUR35.Theagreements willnotapplytotheterritoryofDenmark,IrelandandtheUnitedKingdom.

Thereadmissionagreementestablishes,onthebasisofreciprocity,rapidandeffectiveprocedures fortheidentificationandreturnofpersonswhodonot,ornolonger,fulfiltheconditionsforentry to,presencein,orresidenceintheterritoriesofMoldovaoroneoftheMemberStatesoftheEU, andtofacilitatethetransitofsuchpersonsinaspiritofcooperation.Theagreementswillnotapply totheterritoryofDenmark.

COMMON FOREIGN AND SECURITY POLICY

Côte d'Ivoire – Renewal of restrictive measures

TheCounciladoptedaCommonPosition(14671/07) renewingrestrictivemeasuresimposed againstCôted'IvoireinordertogiveeffecttoUnitedNationsSecurityCouncilresolution (UNSCR)1782(2007).

TheCommonPositionextendsuntil31October2008themeasuresimposedbyCommon Positions2004/852/CFSPand2006/30/CFSP.

ThemeasuresrestricttheprovisionofarmsandmilitaryassistancetoCôted'Ivoireandestablishthe frameworkforavisabanandfreezeofassetsonpersonsconstitutingathreattopeaceandnational reconciliation.Inaddition,theyprohibitimportsofroughdiamondsfromCôted'Ivoireintothe Community.

Iraq – EU mission EUJUST LEX

TheCounciladoptedaJointActionamendingandextendingJointAction2005/190/CFSPonthe EUIntegratedRuleofLawMissionforIraq(EUJUSTLEX) (14621/07) .

TheJointActionextendsuntil30April2008theEUJUSTLEXmissioninIraqandamendsitin ordertotakeintoaccountnewguidelinesforcommandandcontrolstructureapprovedbythe CouncillastJune.

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ForadditionalinformationonEUJUSTLEXcheckthefollowinglink: http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cmsUpload/factsheet-EUJUST_LEX-Oct.2007.pdf

EXTERNAL RELATIONS

Participation in the Korean Peninsula Energy Development Organisation

TheCounciladoptedaCommonPositiononparticipationbytheEUintheKoreanPeninsula EnergyDevelopmentOrganisation(KEDO)intheframeworkoftheEUstrategyagainst proliferationofweaponsofmassdestruction( 14864/07 ).ItalsoadoptedaDecisionapprovingthe conclusionoftherenewal,bytheCommission,ofanAgreementbetweenEuratomandKEDO.

TheobjectiveoftheCommonPosition,whichreplacesCommonPosition2006/244/CFSP,isto enabletheEUtoprotectitsinterestsintheorderlywindingupofKEDO,tobeimplementedas soonaspossible,butby31May2012,atthelatest.

OnthebasisoftheCommonPosition2006/244/CFSP (OJ L 88, 25.3.2006, p. 73) ,theEUhas participatedintheprocesstoterminatethelightwaterreactorprojectandtowindupKEDOinan orderlymanner.

ThroughitsparticipationinKEDO,since1996,theEUhascontributedtotheobjectiveoffinding anoverallsolutiontotheissueofnuclearproliferationintheKoreanpeninsula.

RESEARCH

Switzerland – International Science and Technology Centre

TheCounciladoptedaDecision,togetherwiththeCommission,onthepositiontobetakenbythe CommunitieswithintheInternationalScienceandTechnologyCentre(ISTC)asregardsthe accessionofSwitzerlandtotheISTC.

TRANSPORT

Convention on a Code of Conduct for Liner Conferences

TheCounciladoptedaRegulationrepealingCouncilRegulation(EEC)No954/79concerningthe ratificationbyMemberStatesof,ortheiraccessionto,theUnitedNationsConventiononaCodeof ConductforLinerConferences (PE-CONS 3660/07) .

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Regulation(EEC)No954/79aimstoapplytheTreatyprincipleoffreedomtoprovideservicesto theEU'sseatransportindustryandtoensurethatcompetitionrulesarecompliedwith.Itsrepeal shouldcomeintoforceforreasonsoflegalconsistencyattheendofthetwoyeartransitionalperiod setoutinCouncilRegulation(EC)No1419/2006,i.e.from18October2008.Attheendofthis transitionperiod,shippingconferenceswillnolongerbeallowedtooperateintradeto/fromthe portsoftheCommunity.Consequently,MemberStateswillnolongerbeinapositiontoratifyor accedetotheUnitedNationsConventiononaCodeofConductforLinerConferences.

TAXATION

EU programme "Fiscalis 2013"

The Council adopted a decision establishing an action programme for 20082013 aimed at improvingtheoperationofthetaxationsystemsintheinternalmarket(Fiscalis2013programme). (3633/07 and 14716/1/07 ADD1+COR1)

TheprogrammeisthesuccessoroftheFiscalis200307programme.

Fiscalis 2013 is designed to contribute actively tothe realisation of the EU's Lisbon strategy for growthandjobs,bycontinuingtodevelopcooperationbetweenEUtaxadministrationsinorderto ensurethattaxationsystemsfulfilthefollowingobjectives:

• commonapplicationofCommunitytaxlegislation;

• theprotectionofnationalandCommunityfinancialinterests;

• thesmoothfunctioningoftheinternalmarketthroughthecombatingoftaxavoidance andtaxevasion,includingitsinternationaldimension;

• theavoidanceofdistortionsofcompetition;and

• thecontinuingreductionofcomplianceburdensonadministrationsandtaxablepersons alike.

The programme will run for a period of six years in order to align its duration with the EU's multiannualfinancialframework.

ThefinancialenvelopeforimplementationoftheprogrammewillbeEUR157millionforthesix yearperiod,inordertopromote,inparticular,thefollowingactivities:communicationand informationexchangesystems;multilateralcontrols;seminarsandprojectgroups;workingvisits andtrainingactivities.

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