BAKGRUNN (fra rådsresolusjonen, engelsk utgave)

[...]

1. On this basis, and with a view to provide for better policy interactions relevant to the development of ERA:

a. EMPHASISES the need for improved support for policy interactions in the Council with respect to policy issues in the areas relevant to the knowledge triangle; and, in this respect, also the need to consider how the Council configurations could best address Research, Innovation and Higher Education issues to contribute to the full realisation of the ERA;

b. EMPHASISES the invitation to future Presidencies of the Council of the EU to consider convening well prepared and focused ERA Ministerial conferences when there is a clear added value in providing orientations for a strategic view on the ERA, as well as the agreement that such conferences could take the form of a broadened informal meeting of Ministers;

c. INVITES the Commission to ensure that, in matters related to ERA, it provides a coherent and comprehensive consideration to research, innovation and education issues;

d. EMPHASISES the need for regular exchanges of views and interaction with the European Parliament on ERA issues;

e. ACKNOWLEDGES the current status of cooperation with countries associated to the Framework Programme.

2. With a view to implementing and developing the Council resolution of 3 December 2009 on the Enhanced Governance of ERA, AGREES that:

a. CREST is renamed the European Research Area Committee (ERAC) (hereinafter referred to as “the Committee”) in order to better align its role with the new emphasis given to the ERA by the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union;

b. The Committee is a strategic policy advisory body whose main mission is to provide timely strategic input to the Council, the Commission and the Member States on any research and innovation issue relevant to the development of the ERA and, in this respect, WELCOMES the Commission’s intention to pursue its active support to the Committee;

c. The Committee's mission as set out in this Resolution will be duly taken into account in the review of all ERA related groups that has to be initiated before the end of 2010.

3. AGREES that, in order to develop the ERA Governance structure as stated above, an adjustment of the terms of reference of CREST is necessary, and accordingly replaces the resolution of 28 September 1995 with a new mandate as set out in ANNEX to this Resolution.

EMPHASISES that this new mandate should be based on equal partnership to reflect the shared competence between the Member States and the EU, as well as on the joint commitment to bringing forward the agenda to fully realise the ERA.

The new mandate will take effect upon adoption of this resolution by the Council. The Vice- Chair, elected among the Member States' representatives, shall be appointed, the Steering Board shall be set up and the rules of procedure shall be drawn up in accordance with paragraphs 10, 12 and 17 of the mandate. This should be done by the end of 2010.

4. AGREES to review the mandate of the Committee by the end of 2012.