22.12.2007

Official Journal of the European Union

C 314/1

Resolution of the Council and of the Representatives of the Governments of the Member States, meeting within the Council, of 25 May 2007 on creating equal opportunities for all young people — full participation in society

(2007/C 314/01)

THE COUNCIL AND THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE GOVERNMENTS OF THE MEMBER STATES, MEETING WITHIN THE COUNCIL,

Whereas:

(1)	The European Year of Equal Opportunities for All 2007 (1) pursues the aim of emphasising the value of a just society based on social cohesion and of stimulating a broad debate on how the participation of disadvantaged groups and groups subject to discrimination can be improved.

(2)

In its Resolution dated 18 May 2004 (2) the Council reaffirmed that the social framework conditions in which young people grow up have a direct impact on the success of political strategies and measures for promoting equal opportunities and social and professional integration and that conditions for which young people usually have no responsibility themselves often prevent their participation in society, restrict their ability to exercise their civil rights and stand in flagrant contradiction with the principle of equal opportunities.

(3)	On 18 May 2004 (3) the Council underlined the importance of the role of young people in combating racism, xenophobia and anti-Semitism, as well as related intolerance and all forms of discrimination, and their role in promoting cultural diversity, mutual respect, tolerance and solidarity.

(4)

At its 2005 Spring Summit the European Council adopted the European Pact for Youth as an element of the renewed Lisbon Strategy with a view — by means of horizontal political efforts — to fostering education and training for young people, their mobility as well as their professional integration and participation in society, and in so doing, to focusing particular attention on young people with fewer opportunities.

(5)

At its 2006 Spring Summit the European Council described social cohesion and the promotion of equal opportunities for all as a crucial basis for economic and employment policy reforms in the Member States, in line with the aims of the Lisbon Process, and regarded measures to implement the European Pact for Youth as a matter of priority.

(6)

Social inclusion is an important priority of the Youth in Action Programme (4) and a strategy has therefore been established to provide access to programme activities, in particular for young people from less-privileged educational, socio-economic, cultural and geographical backgrounds and for those with disabilities.

(7)

In its contribution to the Spring 2007 European Council meeting the Council identified four key priorities for further implementation of the European Pact for Youth, namely: support for young people in the transitions between education, training and work; the need for individual paths towards integration; the need for coherent local and regional implementation strategies for the Pact; and greater embodiment of a youth dimension in the overall implementation of the Lisbon Strategy.

(8)

The Spring 2007 European Council invited the Commission to present an interim report in Autumn 2007 with a view to its proposal for the Integrated Guidelines for Growth and Jobs (2008-2011). It called for a reinforced lifecycle approach to work in order to improve access to the labour market. Member States agreed to further develop policies which promote the role of young people, including their transition from school to working life, as active participants in the economy and the labour market, aiming at using their full potential to contribute to the economic and social development of our societies.

(9)

In the framework of the structured dialogue, young people and representatives of youth organisations met in April 2007 in Cologne on the occasion of the German Presidency's youth event and identified a number of political priorities and commitments with a view to improving equal opportunities and participation in society in the shape of an action plan.

NOTE that:

equal opportunities for participation in society must mean the right of all young people to have access to high-quality education and training, housing, ‘good work’ and all relevant areas of the social security and/or employment systems, in accordance with national law and practices in conformity with Community law, and to participate in social and political discussion and decision-making processes concerning them and not least to enjoy a healthy and autonomous lifestyle with free time in which to pursue their own interests;

the European Year of Equal Opportunities for All seeks to make people in the European Union aware of their rights to equal treatment and to launch a debate on the benefits of diversity for both society and the individual. In order to enable young people to exercise their rights, they need tailor-made information and support for their engagement against all forms of discrimination. Such information and support needs to be provided not only by their families, but also by society at large — in particular the education system, those active in the youth field, NGOs, the media as well as administrations at all levels and national anti-discrimination bodies;

Member States' and European policies aimed at a better social and professional integration of young people must take account of the particularly high number of problems in disadvantaged urban and rural areas and recognise that youth policies need to press for targeted and cross-sectoral action, in order to ensure equal opportunities for young people growing up in such areas;

4.	in order to make equal prospects a reality for young people with fewer opportunities, specific measures are necessary to promote the development of their individual potential and to overcome stereotypes and prejudices within society;

in order to implement policies that respect intergenerational equity, structural barriers to equal opportunities and to young people's participation in society need to be eliminated. This also contributes to fighting discrimination against young people not just on the grounds of age, but, as is often the case, discrimination on multiple grounds.

INVITE THE MEMBER STATES AND THE COMMISSION TO:

1.	promote the various forms of structured dialogue with young people and take due account of the outcomes of that dialogue at all levels;

improve the coherence of measures to implement the European Pact for Youth aimed at ensuring the sustainable inclusion of young people, as well as ensuring that such measures actually reach their target groups, in particular young people with fewer opportunities, by taking into account their needs, backgrounds and motivation;

endeavour, also in consultation with social partners, to develop a well-balanced approach for young people in terms of ‘flexicurity’, facilitate the transitions from school to working life, avoid unemployment and precarious working conditions and contribute to reconciling family, private and professional life;

emphasise youth policy aims via the open method of coordination in the field of social protection and social inclusion and make corresponding contributions, as appropriate, to the work of the Social Protection and Employment Committees in order to strengthen the youth dimension and foster the social inclusion of young people and reduce the risk of poverty;

emphasise the significance of the four priorities of the open method of coordination in the youth field — participation, information, voluntary activities and greater understanding and knowledge of youth — in terms of a successful inclusion policy, and strengthen the impact of the open method of coordination when shaping policies for equal opportunities and better social and professional integration;

broaden knowledge about the quality of life of young women and men in Europe, particularly as regards living and working conditions, attitudes, values, concerns and opportunities for better participation in society, making use of existing research, procedures and data, including the 7th Research Framework Programme, in order to render such data and findings more meaningful and comparable;

make full use of the Youth in Action Programme in order to provide numerous and extensive opportunities for non-formal and informal learning, with the aim of giving as many young people as possible the chance to acquire the skills and competences necessary for active citizenship and to lead autonomous and healthy lifestyles;

in line with the Council Resolution of 19 May 2006 (5), extend opportunities for non-formal and informal learning, as well as for voluntary activities, and improve recognition of the outcomes and experience obtained; in particular opportunities for intercultural learning should be strengthened, thereby promoting values such as mutual respect, diversity, equality, human dignity and solidarity. With this aim in mind, young people should be invited to participate in the preparation and implementation of the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue 2008;

seek, together with youth organisations, young people themselves and other youth policy stakeholders, ways of achieving more active participation of all young people in discussion and decision-making processes concerning them and, in so doing, stimulate new forms of participation for young people in disadvantaged urban or rural areas;

10.	give greater emphasis to the concerns of young people in anti-discrimination policies and assist young people and their organisations in combating discrimination, inequalities, social exclusion and intolerance;

11.	promote the social dimension of sport and culture as a factor of social integration to fight discrimination and strengthen tolerance among young people;

12.	take account of the rights of all young people to equal opportunities and participation in society when developing an EU strategy on the rights of the child;

13.	ensure that in the evaluation of and follow-up to the 2007 European Year of Equal Opportunities for All, young people and a youth policy focus are taken into account at all levels — European, national, regional and local.

INVITE THE COMMISSION:

in its commitment to equal opportunities and better professional and social integration, to further develop close cooperation between its relevant services in order to reinforce the youth dimension of social inclusion policies and within the framework of the renewed Lisbon Strategy for Growth and Employment;

2.	to submit for the Council's attention information on the youth-related analyses on the state of implementation of the European Pact for Youth which are conducted regularly in the process of evaluating the national reform programmes.

INVITE THE MEMBER STATES TO:

facilitate the development of local and/or regional strategies as part of the further implementation of the European Pact for Youth. Such strategies should include all relevant stakeholders, social partners and young people themselves and should help to put in place individual support measures to promote qualified, easily accessible guidance and counselling services concerning the transitional stages between education, training and employment and suitable conditions to reconcile family, private and professional life;

to prioritise the concerns of young people in the national reform programmes and the key policies which affect the quality of life of young people, in particular by enhancing the cross-sectoral cooperation between youth policy and other relevant policy areas (educational, economic and employment, family, social, health and sports policy, policy on the rights of the child, gender equality policy, cultural policy, as well as housing and regional and local planning policy);

continue efforts to further reduce the numbers of early school leavers through appropriate incentives and actions, particularly by taking specific measures in order to make full participation in education a reality for young people with fewer opportunities, and by promoting the quality and attractiveness of education and training;

4.	utilise the resources of the European Structural Funds, particularly the European Social Fund, to shape and provide measures in line with the European Pact for Youth, so as to further implement the Pact, especially at local and regional level;

5.	in accordance with the principle of the structured dialogue, develop or expand the participation of young people in social space planning procedures in disadvantaged urban and rural areas, and disseminate their findings and experiences using the open method of coordination.

(1) Decision No 771/2006/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 May 2006 establishing the European Year of Equal Opportunities for All (2007) — Towards a just society (OJ L 146, 31.5.2006, p. 1).

(2) Resolution of the Council and of the Representatives of the Governments of the Member States, meeting within the Council, on social integration with regard to young people (doc. 9601/04 of 18 May 2004).

(3) Declaration of the Council and the Representatives of the Governments of the Member States, meeting within the Council, on Racism and Intolerance in relation to Young People (doc. 9405/04 of 18 May 2004).

(4) OJ L 327, 24.11.2006, p. 30.

(5) Resolution of the Council and of the Representatives of the Governments of the Member States, meeting within the Council, on the recognition of the value of non-formal and informal learning within the European youth field (OJ C 168, 20.7.2006, p. 1).

22.12.2007

Official Journal of the European Union

C 314/4

COUNCIL RECOMMENDATION

of 6 December 2007

concerning a Handbook for police and security authorities concerning cooperation at major events with an international dimension

(2007/C 314/02)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Security handbook for the use of police authorities and services at international events such as meetings of the European Council and the Handbook for the cooperation between Member States to avoid terrorist acts at the Olympic Games and comparable sporting events,

Whereas:

(1)	The European Union's objective is, inter alia, to provide citizens with a high level of safety within an area of freedom, security and justice by developing common action among the Member States in the field of police cooperation.

(2)	Member States often host major events with an international dimension.

(3)

Law enforcement authorities in a Member State dealing with a major event with an international dimension need to ensure the security of the event both from a public order perspective and a counter-terrorism perspective. Depending on the nature of the event (political, sporting, social, cultural or other) one perspective may be more relevant than the other and may be dealt with by other authorities but both perspectives need to be considered.

(4)	It is important for the competent authorities to be able to use a practical instrument providing guidelines and inspiration based on experience and good practice learned from previous events.

(5)	The handbook should be reviewed and updated as appropriate, in accordance with future experience and further development of best practices,

HEREBY RECOMMENDS MEMBER STATES:

(1)	to step up cooperation, in particular practical cooperation and information sharing between competent authorities in order to ensure public security at major events with an international dimension held in the Member States of the European Union;

(2)	to that end, to ensure that the Handbook for police and security authorities concerning cooperation at major events with an international dimension, annexed hereto, is made available to the relevant competent authorities.

Done at Brussels, 6 December 2007.

For the Council

The President

Alberto COSTA

ANNEX

HANDBOOK FOR POLICE AND SECURITY AUTHORITIES CONCERNING COOPERATION AT MAJOR EVENTS WITH AN INTERNATIONAL DIMENSION

I.	INTRODUCTION

I.1

Purpose

I.2	Basic principles

II.	INFORMATION MANAGEMENT

II.1	Contact points

II.1.1

Permanent contact points

II.1.2

Event-related contact points

II.2	Exchange of information

II.3	Threat assessment and risk analysis

III.	EVENT MANAGEMENT

III.1

Responsibilities of involved authorities and services in the organising Member State

III.2

Maintaining public order and security

III.2.1

Public order and security

III.2.2

Dealing with criminal offences

III.2.3

Terrorist threats

III.3

Operational cooperation with other Member States

III 3.1

Cross-border cooperation

III.3.2

Operational support

III.3.3

Liaison officers

III.3.4

Observers

III.3.5

Financial arrangements and equipment

III.3.6

Communication plan

III.4

Media strategy

III.5

Instruction, training and exercise

IV.	EVALUATION

IV.1	Event-related evaluation

IV.2	Strategic evaluation

ANNEX A

Standard form for the request for liaison officers or officers to provide other types of operational support

ANNEX B

Risk analysis on potential demonstrators and other groupings

ANNEX C

Standard form for exchanging information regarding individuals posing a terrorist threat

ANNEX D

Standard form for exchanging information regarding groups posing a terrorist threat

ANNEX E

Reference documents

ANNEX F

Permanent contact points concerning public order

I. INTRODUCTION

I.1. Purpose

The purpose of this handbook is to serve as a practical instrument providing guidelines and inspiration for law enforcement authorities in Europe undertaking responsibility for security at major events with an international dimension (such as the Olympic Games or other major sporting events (1), major social events or high-level political meetings e.g. the G8-summit). Accordingly, the principles set out in this handbook should only be applied where appropriate and useful as well as in full compliance with national legislation. They also should not prejudge any arrangements set out in bilateral Agreements or Memorandums of Understanding.

This handbook is a living document to be amended and adjusted in accordance with future experience and the development of best practices (see IV.2 Strategic Evaluation).

The Security Handbook for the use of police authorities and services at international events such as meetings of the European Council and the Handbook for the cooperation between Member States to avoid terrorist acts at the Olympic Games and comparable sporting events have been integrated into the current version of this handbook. Law enforcement authorities dealing with a major event with an international dimension need to ensure the security of the event both from a public order perspective and from a counter-terrorism perspective. Depending on the nature of the event (political, sporting, social, cultural or other) one perspective may be more relevant than the other and may be dealt with by other authorities but both perspectives need to be considered.

I.2. Basic principles

The enforcement of law and order should be guided by the principles of legality and proportionality and moderation, giving preference to the less intrusive approach. Whenever possible, a de-escalating police approach should be chosen based on dialogue, negotiated management of public space and partnership.

The law enforcement authorities of the Member States responsible for security at major events with an international dimension, in particular at political events, must seek to ensure that human rights, in particular the right freely to express opinions and to assemble in a peaceful manner in accordance with the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, are fully respected. Interference from persons or groups whose objectives or actions involve violence or other acts of a criminal nature should be prevented to the furthest possible extent.

Although the host Member State is primarily responsible for providing security for the event, given its international character all other Member States and European Union (EU) competent bodies have a responsibility to assist and support the provision of such security.

II. INFORMATION MANAGEMENT

II.1. Contact points

II.1.1. Permanent contact points

According to Council Joint Action 97/339/JHA of 26 May 1997 with regard to cooperation on law and order and security (2), at least one permanent contact point must be established by each Member State.

Contact details and other relevant information on the permanent contact point(s) should be provided to the General Secretariat of the Council (whose e-mail address can be found in Annex F) for distribution to the Member States. Any relevant changes regarding the permanent contact point(s) of a Member State should be reported in the same way.

Every permanent contact point should be able to meet the following standards:

—	24-hour availability (to the necessary extent before, during and after an event),

—	staff with sufficient language skills in at least one other language of the EU institutions,

—	permanently operational lines of communication and information structure including phone, fax and e-mail, where relevant secured via encryption, and access to the Internet,

—	sufficient translation capacities for the exchange of information.

II.1.2. Event-related contact points

For each major event with an international dimension, each Member State should designate one or more event-related contact points. Depending on national legislation or structures, this may be the same as the permanent contact point(s). Every event-related contact point should be able to meet the above-mentioned standards.

The organising Member State informs the permanent contact points of the other Member States (see Annex F) of the details of the event-related contact point(s). Each Member State then informs the organising Member State of its own contact point(s) for that event.

The tasks of the event-related contact point(s) could include facilitating:

—	the collection and analysis of information nationally as well as from other Member States, third countries, relevant EU bodies and other sources of information,

—	quality control relating to form and content,

—	the establishment of reliable and efficient lines of communication to relevant key players —nationally and internationally — secured lines being preferred,

—	the exchange of information through existing secure communication lines,

—	the exchange of information in cooperation with other Member States, third countries, relevant EU bodies and other international institutions,

—	the dissemination of processed information to their respective security services, police authorities and other services, such services of the organising State, as well as authorities and services in other Member States and relevant EU bodies, as appropriate,

—	the provision of threat assessment and risk analysis on potential demonstrators and other groupings for the organising Member State,

—	the observation and evaluation of the event and follow-up to it.

II.2. Exchange of information

A Member State should without delay forward information which its national authority considers to be relevant for the security of an event in another Member State to its counterpart in that Member State. When forwarding information Member States should be conscious of their obligations in terms of its confidentiality.

The exchange of information should be carried out through existing communication channels and structures. The exchange of information, including personal data, should be conducted in strict compliance with the provisions of national and international law and treaties applicable in each case (3).

It should be facilitated by the contact points of the Member States involved.

After being processed, the collected information should be distributed to relevant authorities and services. Contacts between security services, police authorities and services in different Member States may be coordinated and organised by their respective contact points.

The contact point(s) in the organising Member State should facilitate the collection, analysis and exchange of relevant information on the event with other Member States, third countries and relevant EU bodies or other international institutions. The information could, inter alia, include:

—	information and intelligence obtained prior to the event that can potentially affect the course of the event or the maintenance of law and order and security in general,

—	persons involved in terrorist organisations, terrorist actions or other major criminal activities, which might be indirectly related to terrorism,

—

the level of threat against officials (heads of states and governments, members of parliament, other VIPs, etc.), athletes, visitors/spectators and venues. In addition to the host Member State, which has primary responsibility, all other Member States should independently contribute relevant information in respect of these persons,

—	other information on targets and interests of EU Member States or of third countries in the organising country with a view to their better protection,

—	information and intelligence related to potential demonstrators and other groupings,

—	information obtained or requested during the event relating to persons suspected of having committed a criminal offence, including their names, dates of birth, places of residence, background, the circumstances of arrest and/or an exact description of the committed offence,

—	information on applicable legislation and police policy on law-enforcement (in other Member States or third countries),

—	incident and evaluation reports and contributions to these.

II.3. Threat assessment and risk analysis

An appropriate and timely assessment of the threats (related to terrorism, public order, organised crime and others) posed to the international event is of central importance in security terms. Alongside the specific assessment of the relevant threat, an analysis covering the collection, evaluation and dissemination of security-relevant information referring to a given specific situation should be made.

Apart from the intelligence available to the organising State itself, information and evaluations provided by other Member States will be the basis for the analysis. At the earliest possible stage prior to the international event, each contact point should provide to its counterpart in the organising State a permanent threat assessment, i.e. on individuals or groups expected to travel to the event and deemed to pose a potential threat to the maintenance of public law and order and/or security (such as known potential demonstrators and other groupings). The assessment should be forwarded to the organising Member State as well as other affected countries — i.e. transit or neighbouring countries.

This analysis can be structured in accordance with the framework analysis set out in Annexes B, C and D. If no such information is available, the organising State should be informed accordingly. The Member States should send it to the organising State as soon as possible by appropriate means using existing secure communication lines.

Europol can, in accordance with its mandate and the Convention on the establishment of a European Police Office (Europol Convention) (4), provide relevant information and analysis as well as draw up general threat assessments on the basis of contributions by Member States. This information should be available at the earliest possible stage. If no such information is available, the organising State may be informed accordingly.

The selection of suitable, necessary and appropriate security measures should be based on the threat assessment, covering the probability of potential harm, and on risk analysis.

For this reason, the responsible organising State, supported where appropriate by other Member States and EU competent bodies, should draw up an updated threat assessment and risk analysis six months before the relevant event at the latest. As the event approaches, the information should be updated on a regular basis. A monthly analysis should be forwarded in each of the last three months before the event and, if necessary, on a weekly basis before the event. Such assessments and analyses should be shared among contributing States and bodies.

During the event, daily situation reports should be issued. The reports should be based on information provided by the organising State, other Member States and EU competent bodies. The assessment of the level of risk posed should be based on the most up-to-date information provided by visiting police or event contact points. The information should be as comprehensive as the available information allows.

III. EVENT MANAGEMENT

III.1. Responsibilities of involved authorities and services in the organising State

The competent authority of the organising Member State should draft an overall operational plan on the basis of which all further detailed plans are made. It should also establish a set of plans covering the policy level (strategic) as well as the overall operational level (operational) and the actual level of deployment on the ground (tactical). The planning procedure should commence at the earliest possible stage.

Prior to an event, the organising Member State should ensure that the roles of all involved authorities and services are clearly defined and that their respective responsibilities are communicated to all relevant parties.

The organising Member State could produce an overall matrix to reflect all involved processes and key players (e.g. organisation of the meeting, security provision, maintenance of law and order, judicial services, social and preventive services, health services, public transport and other infrastructure matters). This ‘blueprint’ could be a useful tool to visualise the planning framework as well as ensure that all necessary processes are covered.

A coordinating project group for the event could be set up comprising representatives of all authorities and services involved. The group should meet regularly prior to, during and after the actual event in order to ensure that decisions are made in a coherent and coordinated way. A prime responsibility of the group should be to ensure efficient lines of communication between all authorities and services.

The responsible authorities and services should ensure the presence of material, technical and personnel resources that are required to perform the assigned duties with the necessary efficiency, quality and swiftness. A database on all available resources and corresponding contact points would be a very useful tool for the organising Member States.

The police authorities of the organising Member States should ensure that all necessary agreements and arrangements regarding policing efforts are made with the practical organiser of the event. The organiser has the primary responsibility for the event and according to the nature of the event a list of requirements to be met should be drawn up. The arrangements could, inter alia, include:

—	locations of the event where no public disturbances should occur (meeting facilities, hotels),

—	entrance control and possibly perimeter security and responsibility for each of these,

—	security measures to be undertaken by the organiser, i.e. internal video surveillance,

—	complete and constantly updated exchange of information on delegates and other participants in the event (name, function, length of stay, accommodation, transport, etc.),

—	arrangements with regard to VIPs and hotel security.

III.2. Maintaining public order and security

III.2.1. Public order and security

Adhering to the basic principles set out under Section I.2, the competent authorities of the organising Member State should establish a clear overall policy for the police approach at international events. This overall policy could include policies such as:

—	police actions are characterised by guaranteeing the protection of peaceful demonstrations,

—	the police should, through dialogue and a credible state of preparedness, maintain the initiative, thereby limiting or preventing riots or larger disturbances,

—	the police should, at its discretion and when appropriate, demonstrate a low level of police visibility and a high level of tolerance regarding peaceful gathering and demonstrations,

—	arrests should be made for purposes of criminal prosecution or temporary detention, etc. in accordance with national legislation,

—	police efforts should, in general, be concentrated on groupings that are planning to instigate disturbances or demonstrate the desire to do so,

—	cooperation with other Member States, third countries, EU bodies and international institutions on relevant areas such as borders should be promoted.

The organising Member State of more than one event on its territory should ensure that the police policy on law enforcement is, to the furthest possible extent, harmonised for the different events. Where appropriate, the policy may also be coordinated with other Member States.

The competent authorities in the organising Member State should at an early stage initiate a dialogue with individuals and groups (including activist groups and demonstrators), local authorities, relevant infrastructural services, the local population and other key players in order to ensure that gatherings and legitimate demonstrations are carried out in a peaceful manner. The dialogue should be based on shared responsibility. It should commence at an early preparatory stage and be utilised as a tool before, during and after an event.

The establishment of a constructive and mutually respectful network will serve to prevent potential disturbances as well as serve as an instrument for mediation in a confrontational situation.

Dialogue structures or teams should be established at the national level and take into account the different cultures in the different Member States in the preparation and implementation of their task (5).

Channels of communication between the competent authorities and the various organisations, civil associations and representatives of demonstrators should be set up. The organisers of demonstrations and all relevant parties may be advised on:

—	practical matters (i.e. accommodation and logistics),

—	relevant applicable legislation regarding demonstration, freedom of speech, civil disobedience, etc.,

—	police policy on law enforcement in matters where discretion can be exercised, and instructions on the use of force by the police,

—	contact points within the police and other relevant authorities.

Distribution of the above information in different languages is a measure to be considered (e.g. through folders, websites). The information may be supplied to foreign visitors through the respective contact points.

III.2.2. Dealing with criminal offences

The Member States' law enforcement agencies should — in accordance with the applicable legislation and the stated policies — aim at a systematic criminal investigation process towards offences committed in connection with violent demonstrations or other disturbances during the major event.

All defined and sustainable criminal offences should, in principle and in full accordance with national law, lead to criminal prosecution in the organising country or by competent legal authorities in another country. If an immediate law enforcement action in the organising Member State is not possible, the other Member States should make every effort to identify and prosecute their own nationals in accordance with national legislation, the present evidence and the circumstances of each case.

The organising Member State should make arrangements to ensure that sufficient resources are available for arrests and investigation of criminal offences, and that sufficient facilities are available for custody and pre-trial detention. It is advisable to plan for a worst-case scenario with larger numbers of perpetrators.

Accordingly, the law enforcement authorities should be geared to tackling a larger quantity of work and have the appropriate capacity to:

—	make speedy decisions on the use of pre-trial detention,

—	make speedy decisions on investigation measures requiring a decision by a court of law,

—	try a larger number of criminal cases,

—	respond to legal requests from other Member States.

III.2.3. Terrorist threats

Due to the fact that the EU and some of its Member States are important players in international politics, the EU and its Member States are likely to be targets of politically or religiously motivated international terrorists. Apart from international terrorists attacking the EU or its Member States at major events, there is a possibility of attacks by terrorist groups or organisations located within the EU or its Member States.

The aims of such terrorist attacks could be the event itself, VIPs, politicians of the EU, national delegations of Member States or the public taking part in the event. The presence of the international media is an important point from the perpetrators' perspective, since this offers a platform for the presentation of the group's or organisation's ideology.

For the prevention of terrorist attacks, information and intelligence about terrorist groups and organisations is essential and should be available at all times. Therefore it is important for the organising Member State and its law enforcement agencies to share information and intelligence in general and as appropriate to the event. The law enforcement agencies should decide which terrorist groups, organisations and individuals could be relevant, and check their own data base according to the event. In addition, all other Member States should independently contribute relevant information with respect to those groups, organisations and individuals.

The selection of suitable, necessary and appropriate security measures should be based on threat assessment and risk analysis.

III.3. Operational cooperation with other Member States

III.3.1. Cross-border cooperation

Cross-border cooperation will be necessary when the organising Member State and involved countries implement a flexible, joint border regime to intensify police efforts in the border regions adapted to the concrete situation or threat. If appropriate, joint or coordinated preventive patrols and controls should be carried out.

For Member States applying the relevant parts of the Schengen acquis, Articles 23 to 31 of the Schengen Border Code (6) on temporary reintroduction of border control at internal borders can be a useful instrument to prevent individuals or groups who are considered to pose a potential threat to the maintenance of public law and order and/or security from travelling to the location of the event.

The necessary arrangements for a quick and efficient implementation of the potential expulsion measures should therefore be prepared.

III.3.2. Operational support

The organising Member State may, in accordance with national legislation (7), request the deployment of police or intelligence officers for operational support from another Member State for a specific event. A detailed request for operational support, including an account of the reasons for the request, should be made at the earliest possible stage. To this end a standard form is set out in Annex A.

Depending on the type of requested support, the appointed officer(s) should have the necessary knowledge and experience relevant to the designated tasks.

Any operational support provided by foreign officers should be included in the operational plans of the competent authorities of the organising State. Accordingly, foreign officers should:

—	be included to the furthest possible extent in the operational information structure,

—	be briefed on the operational plans and relevant policies, including instructions on the use of force, etc., in one of their working languages,

—	be offered the opportunity to acquaint themselves with the venue and deployed police forces, etc., prior to the event,

—	attend all relevant briefing sessions (i.e. relevant to their task and where the briefing is in a language they understand), and

—	where appropriate, be actively included in the police deployment on the ground.

The organising competent authorities are responsible for the physical security of the foreign officers. It is the responsibility of the foreign officers to ensure that their actions do not cause unnecessary conflict, danger or unjustified risks.

When deployed on the ground, foreign officers should at all times refer to and, as a rule, be under the supervision of members of the host country's competent authorities who are properly briefed on the operational plan and able to communicate in a language that the foreign officers understand. The communication lines between foreign officers, the host contact(s), the management of the police forces deployed and other key players should be efficient and fully functional during the event and, to the necessary extent, also before and after the event.

III.3.3. Liaison officers (8)

At the request of the organising Member State, each Member State or EU/other competent organisation may appoint liaison officers for an event, where relevant. A request for liaison officers should be made at the earliest possible stage and no later than six weeks prior to the event. To this end a standard form is set out in Annex A.

Interested Member States may request an invitation to send a liaison officer to the organising Member State.

Liaison officers may be exchanged in accordance with bilateral arrangements between the organising Member State and other Member States involved.

The liaison officer should be appointed no later than two weeks before an event, at which point the cooperation should commence. The organising State should, in close collaboration with the other Member States, decide upon the appointment and tasks of the liaison officers through their respective contact points.

The liaison officer, according to his/her skills, can be assigned to (any of) the host contact point(s) to take charge of communication with the home State, in which case the appropriate means of communication should be provided by the organising Member State.

Liaison officers should play an advisory and assisting role. The foreign liaison officers should be unarmed and have no official police authority in the host country (9). Depending on their specific task, liaison officers should have appropriate experience in the maintenance of law and order or the field of counter-terrorism and, in particular, should have:

—	a thorough knowledge of their national organisation and authorities,

—	experience in maintaining public law and order at high profile events,

—	access to all useful information sources in their home State, including information on extremism and other relevant groupings from police as well as other relevant sources,

—	the ability to organise intelligence efforts nationally prior to and during the event and analyse relevant information,

—	good knowledge of the working language(s) chosen by the organising Member State.

Liaison officers should immediately upon their arrival report to their assigned contact point in order to clarify their designated tasks and mandate. The organising Member State will organise this accreditation process.

II.3.4. Observers

Member States may, with the consent of the organising Member State, send observers to gather experience in security and the maintenance of law and order at international events for future events in their home countries. If so requested, the observer may provide an input for the evaluation undertaken by the organising Member State.

Observers should, to the fullest possible extent, be permitted to attend planning sessions, briefings, coordination meetings, operational deployments and other activities in order to maximise the benefit of the visit. Observers should immediately upon their arrival report to the assigned contact point. The organising Member State will organise the accreditation process.

III.3.5. Financial arrangements and equipment

The organising Member State should usually cover the accommodation and subsistence costs of invited foreign officers travelling to its territory. Travelling costs are usually covered by the home country.

All costs related to observers sent to the organising Member State should be borne by the sending State. The organising Member State could, if possible, provide the necessary means of communication and other facilities for the observers.

The organising Member State may arrange for support from other Member States with regard to temporary provision of equipment or other resources when possible, through bilateral/multilateral Agreements.

III.3.6. Communication plan

An adequate flow of information between police authorities and other services should be secured by means of a detailed communication plan. All involved parties within the organising Member State should develop a joint communication strategy to avoid overlaps or the dissemination of incomplete information.

In order to avoid gaps in knowledge (e.g. language) there should be integration of liaison officers or other personnel within the communication plan.

Other forces (e.g. fire brigade, rescue services) should also be integrated into the communication plan.

III.4. Media strategy

In order to ensure an accurate and timely media coverage of international events, a pre-defined strategy for relations with the media should be in place before, during and after an event.

The media should be given the fullest possible degree of freedom to cover the event, thus safeguarding the right to free expression of opinions in accordance with the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms. The media strategy should be geared towards openness and transparency.

It is recommended that a single point of contact be appointed for the media to ensure a coordinated media coverage. Well in advance of the event, the organising Member State should establish an overall media strategy to include, inter alia:

—	designation of a point of contact for the media which will direct the media to the relevant spokespersons,

—	designation of the area of competence of each spokesperson, and

—	the information to be given to the public on police measures and the steps which will be taken in the event of disturbances.

III.5. Instruction, training and exercise

The development of the European instruction, training and exercise (ITE) programme is based on international strategic agreements and jointly-developed procedures and working methods. By participating in ITE activities, officials, teams, organisations and countries can prepare for events such as those described in this handbook (10).

Major events as defined in this handbook involve international and cross-border aspects and require:

—	exchange of information between the Member States regarding the event (information management),

—	knowledge of police organisation in the organising Member State,

—	acquisition of experience of major events and exchanges of information thus gained: seminars on lessons learned and case studies.

The above elements can then be used as input allowing this handbook to be continually updated and improved.

European Police College (CEPOL) has a role to play in the development, design and practice of ITE. Where possible, ITE activities should be integrated into existing CEPOL processes and products.

IV. EVALUATION

IV.1. Event-related evaluation

The organising Member State should initiate an evaluation of security activities during the event and other relevant factors. All key personnel should be invited to contribute to the evaluation, which should be based on the prior planning of the event. In the evaluation process, the organising Member State may make use of evaluations from other Member States, but this should be agreed in advance.

The organising State should assemble an evaluation report as soon as possible once the event has ended. Where incidents of any kind have arisen, the evaluation report should also include an incident report.

Following the event, a debriefing should be held and a general evaluation report regarding relevant security aspects drawn up. The report should make special reference to public order disturbances (or absence thereof), terrorist threats and incidents, criminal offences, groups involved and lessons learned.

The report and/or lessons learned should form the basis for the ITE process (see III.5). CEPOL should ensure the implementation of international lessons learned in the ITE programme. The individual Member States are responsible for their implementation at national level. The report will be distributed by CEPOL to national police academies.

The report should be distributed through the event-related contact point(s) to the relevant EU bodies and other involved or otherwise interested countries or bodies in order to ensure that lessons learned or recommendations are made available for future organisers of a major event with an international dimension.

IV.2. Strategic evaluation

In order to share experience and best practices an expert meeting should be held whenever needed, to be organized by the competent Council working party.

The participants should be senior police officers with experience in maintaining public law and order at major events with an international dimension. One of the topics of this expert meeting should be the further development and adjustment of this handbook in the light of experience from recent events.

ANNEX A

STANDARD FORM FOR THE REQUEST FOR LIAISON OFFICERS OR OFFICERS TO PROVIDE OTHER TYPES OF OPERATIONAL SUPPORT

1.	Type of support requested (liaison officer, spotter, mediator or other)

Event(s)

Period

4.	Place of station

5.	Description of tasks (as detailed as possible)

6.	Language skills (working languages of the event)

7.	Other specific skills (knowledge of particular groups, mediation experience, etc.)

Tasks to prepare ahead of arrival:

—	communication with the home State,

—	gathering of specific types of information,

—	other tasks.

9.	Means of communication (mobile phone, Internet)

10.	Other types of required equipment

11.	Please provide a reply by

ANNEX B

RISK ANALYSIS ON POTENTIAL DEMONSTRATORS AND OTHER GROUPINGS

1.	Name of group known and likely to demonstrate or in other ways affect the event

2.	Composition, number of members

3.	Distinguishing marks (clothes, logos, flags, slogans or other external characteristics)

4.	Nature of the group (violent — is there a risk of disturbances?)

5.	Demonstration methods and/or activist methods

Internal organisation and functioning of the group:

—	leadership,

—	communication means,

—	other structural information.

7.	Links to other groups (national or international)

Members previously involved in relevant incidents:

—	type of incident,

—	place (country),

—	individually or in a group,

—	convictions with reference to the above, in accordance with national law.

Behaviour:

—	towards police services and actions,

—	towards the local population,

—	use of weapons,

—	alcohol or drug consumption,

—	wearing masks,

—	pattern of behaviour at different types of events.

10.	Links with and attitude towards the media (media strategy, spokesperson etc.)

11.	Internet websites and bulletin boards etc.

12.	Choice of travel route

13.	Means of transport

14.	Choice of accommodation

15.	Length of stay

16.	Information supplied by liaison officers in third countries on possible demonstrators or activists from these countries

17.	Other relevant information

18.	Sources of the information and analysis of the accuracy and reliability of the information provided

ANNEX C

ANNEX D

ANNEX E

REFERENCE DOCUMENTS

—	Convention on the establishment of a European Police Office (Europol Convention) (OJ C 316, 27.11.1995, p. 2)

—	Council Joint Action 97/339/JHA of 26 May 1997 with regard to cooperation on law and order and security (OJ L 147, 5.6.1997, p. 1)

—	Protocol integrating the Schengen acquis into the framework of the European Union (OJ C 340, 10.11.1997, p. 93)

—	Treaty of Nice, Declaration on the venue for European Councils (OJ C 80, 10.3.2001, p. 85)

—	Council Decision 2001/264/EC of 19 March 2001 adopting the Council's security regulations (OJ L 101, 11.4.2001, p. 1)

—

Council Resolution of 4 December 2006 concerning an updated handbook with recommendations for international police cooperation and measures to prevent and control violence and disturbances in connection with football matches with an international dimension, in which at least one Member State is involved (OJ C 322, 29.12.2006, p. 1)

—	Regulation (EC) No 562/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 March 2006 establishing a Community Code on the rules governing the movement of persons across borders (Schengen Borders Code) (OJ L 105, 13.4.2006, p. 1)

—	Treaty between the Kingdom of Belgium, the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg concerning cross-border police intervention of 8 June 2004

—

Convention between the Kingdom of Belgium, the Federal Republic of Germany, the Kingdom of Spain, the French Republic, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the Republic of Austria on the stepping up of cross-border cooperation, particularly in combating terrorism, cross-border crime and illegal migration (Prüm Treaty) (Council document number 16382/06)

—	Conflict management manual of guidance (Council document number 7047/01)

—	Conclusions adopted by the Council and the representatives of the Governments of the Member States on 13 July 2001 on security at meetings of the European Council and other comparable events (Council document number 10916/01)

—	Checklist regarding possible measures on the occasion of European Councils and other comparable events (Council document number 11572/01)

—	Strategic information concerning European Councils and other comparable events — Risk analysis (Council document number 11694/01)

—	Conclusions of the sub-workgroup EUCPN JAI 82 of 27 November 2001 (Council document number 14917/01)

—	Handbook for the use of police authorities and services at international events such as meetings of the European Council (Council document number 12637/02)

—	Security at meetings of the European Council and other comparable events — International cooperation at the Laeken European Council (Council document number 9029/02)

—	Security handbook for European Councils and other similar events (Council document number 9069/02)

—	Security at meetings of the European Council (Council document number 11836/02)

—	Handbook for the cooperation between Member States to avoid terrorist acts at the Olympic Games and comparable sporting events (Council document number 5744/04)

—	The European Union Counter-Terrorism Strategy (Council document number 14469/05)

—	Europol Support to Member States — Major International Sporting Events (Europol file number 2570-50r1).

ANNEX F

PERMANENT CONTACT POINTS CONCERNING PUBLIC ORDER

(Article 3(b) of Joint Action 97/339/JHA)

Updates should be sent to: pcwp@consilium.europa.eu

Service

Address

Telephone

Fax

E-mail

Federal Police PCN/DAO

Fritz Toussaint 47

B-1050 Brussels

(32-2) 642 63 80

(32-2) 646 49 40

dga-dao@skynet.be

Ministry of the Interior, Crisis Centre

Hertogstraat 53

B-1000 Brussels

(32-2) 506 47 11

(32-2) 506 47 09

Directorate for International Operational Police Cooperation

Ministry of the Interior

(359) 22 82 28 34

(359) 29 80 40 47

NCB@mvr.bg

Police Presidium of the Czech Republic

International Police Co-operation Division

Strojnická 27

PO Box 62/MPS

CZ-Praha 7

(420) 974 83 42 10

(420) 974 83 47 16

sirene@mvcr.cz

Danish National Police

Polititorvet 14

DK-1780 København V

(45) 33 14 88 88

(45) 33 32 27 71

NEC@politi.dk

Bundeskriminalamt

Thaerstr. 11

D-65193 Wiesbaden

(49) 61 15 51 31 01

(49) 61 15 51 2141

@bka.bund.de

Bundesministerium des Innern

Lagezentrum

Alt-Moabit 101

D-10559 Berlin

(49) 301 86 81 10 77

(49) 301 86 81 2926

poststelle@bmi.bund.de

Central Law Enforcement Police

Ädala 4E

EE-10614 Tallinn

(372) 612 39 00

(372) 612 39 90

julgestuspolitsei@jp.pol.ee

Ministry of Public Order

International Police Cooperation Division

Kanellopoulou 4

GR-10177 Athens

(30) 210 69 77 56 23

(30) 21 06 92 40 06

registry@ipcd.gr

Dirección general de la policía, Comisaría general de seguridad ciudadana, Centro nacional de coordinación

C/Francos Rodríguez 104

E-28039 Madrid

(34) 913 22 71 90

(34) 913 22 71 88

cgsc.cgeneral@policia.es

Ministère de l'intérieur

Direction Générale de la Police Nationale

Cabinet «Ordre Public»

11 rue des Saussaies

F-75008 Paris

(33) 140 07 22 84

(33) 140 07 64 99

Office of Liaison and Protection Section,

An Garda Siochána

Dublin 8

Ireland

(353) 16 66 28 42

(353) 16 66 17 33

gdalp@iol.ie

Ministero dell'interno

Dipartimento della Pubblica Sicurezza

Ufficio Ordine Publico

Piazza del Viminale 1

I-00184 Roma

(39) 06 46 52 13 09

(39) 06 46 52 13 15

(39) 06 46 53 61 17

cnims@interno.it

Ministry of Justice and Public Order

Police Headquarters

—	European Union and International Police Cooperation Directorate

CY-Nicosia, 1478

(357) 22 80 89 98 (24h)

357) 22 80 80 80 (24h)

(357) 22 30 51 15

(357) 22 80 86 05 (24h)

euipcd@police.gov.cy

—	Operations Office of the Cyprus Police Headquarters

(357) 22 80 80 78

(357) 99 21 94 55

(357) 22 80 85 94

operations.office@police.gov.cy

Operative Control Bureau of Public Security Department

Central Public Order Police Department

State Police

Brīvības iela 61

LV-1010 Riga

(371) 707 54 30

(371) 707 53 10

(371) 727 63 80

armands.virsis@vp.gov.lv

vpdd@vp.gov.lv

Lithuanian Criminal Police Bureau

International Liaison Office

Liepyno 7

LT-08105 Vilnius

(370-5) 271 99 00

(370-5) 271 99 24

office@ilnb.lt

Direction Générale de la Police Grand-Ducale

Direction des Opérations

Centre d'Intervention National

L-2957 Luxembourg

(352) 49 97 23 46

(352) 49 97 23 98

cin@police.etat.lu

International Law Enforcement Cooperation Centre

National Police

Teve utca 4-6

H-1139 Budapest

(36-1) 443 55 57

(36-1) 443 58 15

intercom@orfk.police.hu

Malta Police Force

Police General Headquarters

M-Floriana

(356) 21 22 40 01

(356) 21 25 21 11

(356) 21 23 54 67

(356) 21 24 77 94

cmru.police@gov.mt

Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations, National Crisis Centre

PO Box 20011

2500 EA The Hague

The Netherlands

(31) 704 26 50 00

(31) 704 26 51 51

(31) 703 61 44 64

ncc@crisis.minbzk.nl (24h) (NL/EN)

Federal Ministry of the Interior

Directorate General for Public Safety

Operations and Crisis Coordination Centre

Minoritenplatz 9

A-1014 Wien

(43) 15 31 2 6 32 00

(43) 15 31 2 6 37 70 (24h)

(43) 15 31 2 6 31 20 (24h)

(43) 15 31 26 10 86 12 (e-fax, 24h)

ekc@bmi.gv.at (24h)

General Headquarters of Police

Crises Management and Anti Terrorism Bureau

ul. Puławska 148/150

PL-02-624 Warszawa

(48-22) 601 36 40

(48-66) 763 13 25

(48-22) 601 32 37

ncbwarsaw@policja.gov.pl

contact point concerning counter-terrorism

Division on Combating Terrorist Acts

Central Bureau of Investigation

National Police Headquarters

(48-22) 601 32 75

(48-22) 601 42 93

counterterror@policja.gov.pl

Ministério da Administração Interna

Gabinete Coordenador de Segurança

Av. D. Carlos I- 7o

P-1249-104 Lisboa

(351) 213 23 64 09

(351) 213 23 64 25

gsc@sg.mai.gov.pt

International Police Cooperation Centre (IPCC)

Calea 13 Septembrie 1-5

RO-Bucharest

(40) 213 16 07 32

(40) 213 12 36 00

ccpi@mai.gov.ro

Operational Anti-Terrorist

Coordination Centre (Romanian Information Service)

Bulevardul Libertatii 14-16

RO-Bucharest

(40) 214 02 35 98

(40) 213 45 10 66

ipct@dcti.ro

International Police Cooperation Sector in Criminal Police Directorate

Štefanova 2

SLO-1000 Ljubljana

(386) 14 72 47 80

(386) 12 51 75 16

interpol.ljubljana@policija.si

Prezídium Policajného zboru

Úrad medzinárodnej policajnej spolupráce

Pribinova 2

SK-812 72 Bratislava

(421) 961 05 64 50

(421) 961 05 64 59

spocumps@minv.sk

Helsinki Police Department

Operational Command Centre

Pasilanraitio 13

FI-00240 Helsinki

(358-9) 189 40 02

(358-9) 189 28 21

johtokeskus@helsinki.poliisi.fi

National Criminal Police, International Police Cooperation Division (IPO)

POB 12256

S-10226 Stockholm

(46) 84 01 37 00

(46) 86 51 42 03

ipo.rkp@polisen.se

Home Office

Public Order Unit

2 Marsham Street

London SW1P 4DF

POB 8000

London SE 11 5EN

United Kingdom

(44) 20 70 35 35 09

(44) 20 70 35 18 10

Christian.Papaleontiou@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk

David.Bohannan@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk

Serious Organised Crime Agency International Crime

(44) 20 73 28 81 15

(44) 20 73 28 81 12

london@soca.x.gsi.gov.uk

(1) Recommendations for international police cooperation in connection with international football matches are set out in a separate handbook: see the Council Resolution concerning an updated handbook with recommendations for international police cooperation and measures to prevent and control violence and disturbances in connection with football matches with an international dimension, in which at least one Member State is involved (OJ C 322, 29.12.2006, p. 1).

(2) OJ L 147, 5.6.1997, p. 1.

(3) Article 46 of Convention implementing the Schengen Agreement of 14 June 1985 between the Governments of the States of the Benelux Economic Union, the Federal Republic of Germany and the French Republic on the gradual abolition of checks at their common borders (Schengen Convention) (OJ L 239, 22.9.2000, p. 19) and Article 26 of Convention between the Kingdom of Belgium, the Federal Republic of Germany, the Kingdom of Spain, the French Republic, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the Republic of Austria on the stepping up of cross-border cooperation, particularly in combating terrorism, cross-border crime and illegal migration (Prüm Treaty).

(4) OJ C 316, 27.11.1995, p. 2.

(5) Elements listed on page 3 of the Conclusions of the sub-workgroup EUCPN JAI 82 of 27 November 2001.

(6) Regulation (EC) No 562/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 March 2006 establishing a Community Code on the rules governing the movement of persons across borders (Schengen Borders Code) (OJ L 105, 13.4.2006, p. 1).

(7) Including Article 26 of the Prüm Treaty.

(8) See point II(1)(c) of Conclusions adopted by the Council and the representatives of the Governments of the Member States on 13 July 2001 on security at meetings of the European Council and other comparable events.

(9) Article 2 of Joint Action 97/339/JHA.

(10) The responsibility for ITE activities at major events rests with the Member State in which the event takes place. This means that Member States are themselves responsible for ensuring that ITE activities are managed effectively, and this handbook therefore contains no further assistance or instructions in this regard.

22.12.2007

Official Journal of the European Union

C 314/24

Conclusions of the Council and of the Representatives of the Governments of the Member States, meeting within the Council, of 25 May 2007 on future perspectives for European cooperation in the field of youth policy

(2007/C 314/07)

The Council and the Representatives of the Governments of the Member States, meeting within the Council,

HAVING REGARD TO:

(1)	the Council's request (1) to evaluate in 2009 the general framework for European cooperation in the youth field which was agreed in 2002;

(2)

the first exchange of views on future perspectives for European youth policy, which was held at the Education, Youth and Culture Council meeting on 16 February 2007 on the basis of a joint discussion paper from the German, Portuguese and Slovenian Presidencies and with a view to the evaluation of the cooperation framework;

(3)	the work of the European Commission's Bureau of European Policy Advisers (2) which emphasises the importance of investing in young people's well-being, health, education, labour market integration and active citizenship;

(4)

the European Commission's interim report to the Spring 2007 European Council entitled Social reality stocktaking (3), which highlights the issue of intergenerational equity against the background of globalisation and demographic change and paves the way for an open debate on social issues and challenges that will also fundamentally affect the social situation of young people in Europe;

(5)	the Council's request (4) to promote a structured dialogue with young people with a view to increasing the involvement, at all levels, of young people and their organisations in shaping and implementing the policies affecting them and thereby promoting their active citizenship;

(6)	the European Pact for Youth approved by the Spring 2005 European Council, which identified priority areas for action in which greater involvement of young people and of all relevant actors in youth policy was required,

1.	POINT OUT that, in accordance with the European Pact for Youth, effective and sustainable youth policy-making requires in the relevant policy areas a truly cross-sectoral approach to whose shaping and implementation the Council intends to make a key contribution.

FURTHER POINT OUT that, in view of the demographic changes observable in all Member States, with the number of young people as a proportion of the total population set to decline further in forthcoming decades, a cross-sectoral strategy is increasingly needed in order to develop intergenerationally equitable, sustainable policies which share both the opportunities and the necessary burdens evenly across all age groups and which enable young people to gain a level of autonomy appropriate to their age and needs.

NOTE that the open method of coordination and the European Pact for Youth are the main tools for developing youth policies in Europe. In the interests of efficiency, coherence and visibility, initiatives aimed at ensuring that these tools can in future better interact and thus be mutually reinforcing should be developed. Any increase in the amount of reporting currently required of Member States should be avoided.

UNDERLINE the importance of the Youth in Action programme (5) in increasing European cooperation in the field of youth policy, of the European Structural Funds in contributing towards the implementation of the European Pact for Youth at national, regional and local level and of the open method of coordination.

WELCOME initiatives from the Commission highlighting the role of young women and men as a fundamental resource for the future organisation of society in the European Union and its Member States, by encouraging a truly cross-sectoral approach towards youth policy-making, reinforcing the structured dialogue with young people and promoting young people's autonomy and active citizenship.

6.	EXPRESS their willingness to help develop, take forward and follow up such initiatives, whilst seeking support from the European Parliament, the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions, and taking the role of relevant regional and local actors into account.

6a.	INTEND, by adopting these conclusions, to contribute with a set of relevant proposals on future thematic and structural perspectives to a thorough discussion on future perspectives for European cooperation in the field of youth policy and to the evaluation of the cooperation framework in 2009;

CONSIDER, against this background, the following issues to be particularly relevant:

(a)

European cooperation in the field of youth policy shares responsibility for addressing young people's quality of life in Europe by means of specific youth policy instruments, but also through improved mainstreaming of the youth dimension into, and cross-sectoral coordination with, related policy fields. Such cooperation could be strengthened with the aim of:

—

improving young people's social inclusion and facilitating their transition towards autonomy and thus responding to demographic challenges, in particular by:

—	providing the possibility for all young people to acquire the necessary basic skills and competencies,

—	facilitating the transition between education and training and employment,

—	combining flexibility, including the increased mobility required from young people, and security (‘flexicurity’),

—	promoting the entrepreneurial potential of young people, and

—	where necessary, promoting policies which offer second chances that put young people back on the path to build their human capital for the future;

—	improving the conditions for living in multicultural societies by fostering the inter-cultural skills of young people,

—	promoting respect for human rights and values such as tolerance, mutual respect, diversity, equality and solidarity as well as combating all forms of discrimination,

—	increasing young people's well being, which includes enabling them to lead a healthy life,

—	promoting the cultural and creative engagement of young people,

—	providing support for young people through better reconciliation of work, family and private life so as to enable them, if they so wish, to start a family and to participate fully in training and education or to enter into working life at the same time,

—	improving the socio-economic conditions in which young people in disadvantaged urban and rural areas live.

(b)

Developing youth policy in a cross-sectoral manner and in close cooperation with young people, those active in the youth field and youth organisations is paramount. Amongst other proposals to be developed, the existing instruments of the structured dialogue — such as Presidency youth events and the European Youth Week — should be used to host informal fora involving actors from related policy areas of the Council, the Commission and the European Parliament. Care should be taken to ensure that young people's representatives are involved from the outset in the development and implementation of such fora, with particular consideration for young people in socially, culturally or economically disadvantaged situations.

Proposals for strengthened cross-sectoral cooperation in the Council and its bodies involving the youth field should be developed.

(c)

A regular European Youth Report on the situation of young people in Europe could help to analyse and draw attention to young people's concerns and their quality of life, as well as the development of youth policies in Europe. As part of the structured dialogue, young people should actively contribute to the reporting exercise. The Reports should be viewed as visible incentives to trigger discussions according to their thematic priorities.

To avoid additional reporting obligations, this should be done by using the information collected through the reporting exercises under the open method of coordination, with the possible addition of relevant data and structured examples of good practice from the Member States, youth organisations and the research field.

(d)

To improve continuity, coherence and visibility in the youth field, optimum use should be made of the cooperation between three Presidencies on the basis of 18-month-programmes. In line with the Council's Rules of Procedure (6), this would include timely cooperation with the following three Presidencies and the Commission, so that on the basis of an agenda endorsed by the Council the thematic priorities would be clearly identified for the following three years.

The Presidencies should in particular pay attention to interlinking the individual steps of the structured dialogue with young people and to ensuring that issues discussed with young people can be followed up.

(e)

A cross-border framework to facilitate exchanges of good practice between local and regional youth policy players should be set up, with a particular emphasis on ‘peer learning’ in relation to local implementation strategies for the European Youth Pact. The findings of those exchanges should be made easily accessible to all interested parties and they should be systematically evaluated and exploited, also as part of the contribution of Youth Ministers towards achieving the Lisbon Goals.

The exchanges should be supported by a set of guidelines for planning, structuring and evaluation. The development of an award scheme should be considered in order to draw attention to excellent examples of successful implementation of local strategies and to raise awareness of the work done within the youth field in the European context.

(1) Resolution of the Council and of the Representatives of the Governments of the Member States, meeting within the Council, on addressing the concerns of young people in Europe — Implementing the European Pact for Youth and promoting active citizenship (OJ C 292, 24.11.2005, p. 5).

(2) http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/policy_advisers/publications/index_en.htm

(3) COM(2007) 63 final.

(4) Resolution of the Council and the Representatives of the Governments of the Member States, meeting within the Council, on implementing the common objectives for participation by and information for young people in view of promoting their active European citizenship (OJ C 297, 7.12.2006, p. 6).

(5) OJ L 327, 24.11.2006, p. 30.

(6) OJ L 285, 16.10.2006, p. 47.

22.12.2007

Official Journal of the European Union

C 314/28

Commission communication in the framework of the implementation of the Council Directive 93/42/EEC concerning medical devices

(Text with EEA relevance)

(Publication of titles and references of harmonized standards under the directive)

(2007/C 314/09)

European Standardisation Organisation (1)	Reference and title of the standard (and reference document)	Reference of the superseded standard	Date of cessation of presumption of conformity of the superseded standard (Note 1)
CENELEC	EN 60118-13:1997 Hearing aids — Part 13: Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) (IEC 60118-13:1997)	NONE	—
CENELEC	EN 60118-13:2005 Electroacoustics — Hearing aids — Part 13: Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) (IEC 60118-13:2004)	EN 60118-13:1997 Note 2.1	1.2.2008
CENELEC	EN 60522:1999 Determination of the permanent filtration of X-ray tube assemblies (IEC 60522:1999)	NONE	—
CENELEC	EN 60580:2000 Medical electrical equipment — Dose area product meters (IEC 60580:2000)	NONE	—
CENELEC	EN 60601-1:1990 Medical electrical equipment — Part 1: General requirements for safety (IEC 60601-1:1988)	NONE	—
	Amendment A1:1993 to EN 60601-1:1990 (IEC 60601-1:1988/A1:1991)	Note 3	—
	Amendment A2:1995 to EN 60601-1:1990 (IEC 60601-1:1988/A2:1995)	Note 3	—
	Amendment A13:1996 to EN 60601-1:1990	Note 3	Date expired (1.7.1996)
CENELEC	EN 60601-1-1:2001 Medical electrical equipment — Part 1-1: General requirements for safety — Collateral standard: Safety requirements for medical electrical systems (IEC 60601-1-1:2000)	EN 60601-1-1:1993 + A1:1996 Note 2.1	Date expired (1.12.2003)
CENELEC	EN 60601-1-2:2001 Medical electrical equipment — Part 1-2: General requirements for safety — Collateral standard: Electromagnetic compatibility — Requirements and tests (IEC 60601-1-2:2001)	EN 60601-1-2:1993 Note 2.1	Date expired (1.11.2004)
CENELEC	Amendment A1:2006 to EN 60601-1-2:2001 (IEC 60601-1-2:2001/A1:2004)		1.3.2009
CENELEC	EN 60601-1-3:1994 Medical electrical equipment — Part 1: General requirements for safety — 3. Collateral standard: General requirements for radiation protection in diagnostic X-ray equipment (IEC 60601-1-3:1994)	NONE	—
CENELEC	EN 60601-1-4:1996 Medical electrical equipment — Part 1-4: General requirements for safety — Collateral standard: Programmable electrical medical systems (IEC 60601-1-4:1996)	NONE	—
CENELEC	Amendment A1:1999 to EN 60601-1-4:1996 (IEC 60601-1-4:1996/A1:1999)	Note 3	Date expired (1.12.2002)
CENELEC	EN 60601-1-6:2004 Medical electrical equipment — Part 1-6: General requirements for safety — Collateral standard: Usability (IEC 60601-1-6:2004)	NONE	—
CENELEC	EN 60601-1-8:2004 Medical electrical equipment — Part 1-8: General requirements for safety — Collateral standard: General requirements, tests and guidance for alarm systems in medical electrical equipment and medical electrical systems (IEC 60601-1-8:2003)	NONE	—
CENELEC	Amendment A1:2006 to EN 60601-1-8:2004 (IEC 60601-1-8:2003/A1:2006)	Note 3	Date expired (1.1.2007)
CENELEC	EN 60601-2-1:1998 Medical electrical equipment — Part 2-1: Particular requirements for the safety of electron accelerators in the range of 1 MeV to 50 MeV (IEC 60601-2-1:1998)	NONE	—
CENELEC	Amendment A1:2002 to EN 60601-2-1:1998 (IEC 60601-2-1:1998/A1:2002)	Note 3	Date expired (1.6.2005)
CENELEC	EN 60601-2-2:2000 Medical electrical equipment — Part 2-2: Particular requirements for the safety of high frequency surgical equipment (IEC 60601-2-2:1998)	EN 60601-2-2:1993 Note 2.1	Date expired (1.8.2003)
CENELEC	EN 60601-2-2:2007 Medical electrical equipment — Part 2-2: Particular requirements for the safety of high frequency surgical equipment (IEC 60601-2-2:2006)	EN 60601-2-2:2000 Note 2.1	1.10.2009
CENELEC	EN 60601-2-3:1993 Medical electrical equipment — Part 2: Particular requirements for the safety of short-wave therapy equipment (IEC 60601-2-3:1991)	NONE	—
CENELEC	Amendment A1:1998 to EN 60601-2-3:1993 (IEC 60601-2-3:1991/A1:1998)	Note 3	Date expired (1.7.2001)
CENELEC	EN 60601-2-4:2003 Medical electrical equipment — Part 2-4: Particular requirements for the safety of cardiac defibrillators (IEC 60601-2-4:2002)	NONE	—
CENELEC	EN 60601-2-5:2000 Medical electrical equipment — Part 2-5: Particular requirements for the safety of ultrasonic physiotherapy equipment (IEC 60601-2-5:2000)	NONE	—
CENELEC	EN 60601-2-7:1998 Medical electrical equipment — Part 2-7: Particular requirements for the safety of high-voltage generators of diagnostic X-ray generators (IEC 60601-2-7:1998)	NONE	—
CENELEC	EN 60601-2-8:1997 Medical electrical equipment — Part 2: Particular requirements for the safety of therapeutic X-ray equipment operating in the range 10 kV to 1 MV (IEC 60601-2-8:1987)	NONE	—
CENELEC	Amendment A1:1997 to EN 60601-2-8:1997 (IEC 60601-2-8:1987/A1:1997)	Note 3	Date expired (1.6.1998)
CENELEC	EN 60601-2-10:2000 Medical electrical equipment — Part 2-10: Particular requirements for the safety of nerve and muscle stimulators (IEC 60601-2-10:1987)	NONE	—
CENELEC	Amendment A1:2001 to EN 60601-2-10:2000 (IEC 60601-2-10:1987/A1:2001)	Note 3	Date expired (1.11.2004)
CENELEC	EN 60601-2-11:1997 Medical electrical equipment — Part 2-11: Particular requirements for the safety of gamma beam therapy equipment (IEC 60601-2-11:1997)	NONE	—
CENELEC	Amendment A1:2004 to EN 60601-2-11:1997 (IEC 60601-2-11:1997/A1:2004)	Note 3	Date expired (1.9.2007)
CENELEC	EN 60601-2-12:2006 Medical electrical equipment — Part 2-12: Particular requirements for the safety of lung ventilators — Critical care ventilators (IEC 60601-2-12:2001)	NONE	—
CENELEC	EN 60601-2-13:2006 Medical electrical equipment — Part 2-13: Particular requirements for the safety and essential performance of anaesthetic systems (IEC 60601-2-13:2003)	EN 740:1998 + A1:2004 + AC:1998 Note 2.3	—
CENELEC	Amendment A1:2007 to EN 60601-2-13:2006 (IEC 60601-2-13:2003/A1:2006)	Note 3	1.3.2010
CENELEC	EN 60601-2-16:1998 Medical electrical equipment — Part 2-16: Particular requirements for the safety of haemodialysis, haemodiafiltration and haemofiltration equipment (IEC 60601-2-16:1998)	NONE	—
CENELEC	EN 60601-2-17:2004 Medical electrical equipment — Part 2-17: Particular requirements for the safety of automatically-controlled brachytherapy afterloading equipment (IEC 60601-2-17:2004)	EN 60601-2-17:1996 + A1:1996 Note 2.1	Date expired (1.3.2007)
CENELEC	EN 60601-2-18:1996 Medical electrical equipment — Part 2: Particular requirements for the safety of endoscopic equipment (IEC 60601-2-18:1996)	NONE	—
CENELEC	Amendment A1:2000 to EN 60601-2-18:1996 (IEC 60601-2-18:1996/A1:2000)	Note 3	Date expired (1.8.2003)
CENELEC	EN 60601-2-19:1996 Medical electrical equipment — Part 2: Particular requirements for the safety of baby incubators (IEC 60601-2-19:1990)	NONE	—
CENELEC	Amendment A1:1996 to EN 60601-2-19:1996 (IEC 60601-2-19:1990/A1:1996)	Note 3	Date expired (13.6.1998)
CENELEC	EN 60601-2-20:1996 Medical electrical equipment — Part 2: Particular requirements for the safety of transport incubators (IEC 60601-2-20:1990 + A1:1996)	NONE	—
CENELEC	EN 60601-2-21:1994 Medical electrical equipment — Part 2: Particular requirements for the safety of infant radiant warmers (IEC 60601-2-21:1994)	NONE	—
CENELEC	Amendment A1:1996 to EN 60601-2-21:1994 (IEC 60601-2-21:1994/A1:1996)	Note 3	Date expired (13.6.1998)
CENELEC	EN 60601-2-22:1996 Medical electrical equipment — Part 2: Particular requirements for the safety of diagnostic and therapeutic laser equipment (IEC 60601-2-22:1995)	NONE	—
CENELEC	EN 60601-2-23:2000 Medical electrical equipment — Part 2-23: Particular requirements for the safety, including essential performance, of transcutaneous partial pressure monitoring equipment (IEC 60601-2-23:1999)	EN 60601-2-23:1997 Note 2.1	Date expired (1.1.2003)
CENELEC	EN 60601-2-24:1998 Medical electrical equipment — Part 2-24: Particular requirements for the safety of infusion pumps and controllers (IEC 60601-2-24:1998)	NONE	—
CENELEC	EN 60601-2-25:1995 Medical electrical equipment — Part 2-25: Particular requirements for the safety of electrocardiographs (IEC 60601-2-25:1993)	NONE	—
CENELEC	Amendment A1:1999 to EN 60601-2-25:1995 (IEC 60601-2-25:1993/A1:1999)	Note 3	Date expired (1.5.2002)
CENELEC	EN 60601-2-26:2003 Medical electrical equipment — Part 2-26: Particular requirements for the safety of electroencephalographs (IEC 60601-2-26:2002)	EN 60601-2-26:1994 Note 2.1	Date expired (1.3.2006)
CENELEC	EN 60601-2-27:1994 Medical electrical equipment — Part 2: Particular requirements for the safety of electrocardiographic monitoring equipment (IEC 60601-2-27:1994)	NONE	—
CENELEC	EN 60601-2-27:2006 Medical electrical equipment — Part 2-27: Particular requirements for the safety, including essential performance, of electrocardiographic monitoring equipment (IEC 60601-2-27:2005)	EN 60601-2-27:1994 Note 2.1	1.11.2008
CENELEC	EN 60601-2-28:1993 Medical electrical equipment — Part 2: Particular requirements for the safety of X-ray source assemblies and X-ray tube assemblies for medical diagnosis (IEC 60601-2-28:1993)	NONE	—
CENELEC	EN 60601-2-29:1999 Medical electrical equipment — Part 2-29: Particular requirements for the safety of radiotherapy simulators (IEC 60601-2-29:1999)	EN 60601-2-29:1995 + A1:1996 Note 2.1	Date expired (1.4.2002)
CENELEC	EN 60601-2-30:2000 Medical electrical equipment — Part 2-30: Particular requirements for the safety, including essential performance, of automatic cycling non-invasive blood pressure monitoring equipment (IEC 60601-2-30:1999)	EN 60601-2-30:1995 Note 2.1	Date expired (1.2.2003)
CENELEC	EN 60601-2-31:1995 Medical electrical equipment — Part 2-31: Particular requirements for the safety of external cardiac pacemakers with internal power source (IEC 60601-2-31:1994)	NONE	—
CENELEC	Amendment A1:1998 to EN 60601-2-31:1995 (IEC 60601-2-31:1994/A1:1998)	Note 3	Date expired (1.1.2001)
CENELEC	EN 60601-2-32:1994 Medical electrical equipment — Part 2: Particular requirements for the safety of associated equipment of X-ray equipment (IEC 60601-2-32:1994)	NONE	—
CENELEC	EN 60601-2-33:2002 Medical electrical equipment — Part 2-33: Particular requirements for the safety of magnetic resonance equipment for medical diagnosis (IEC 60601-2-33:2002)	EN 60601-2-33:1995 + A11:1997 Note 2.1	Date expired (1.7.2005)
CENELEC	Amendment A1:2005 to EN 60601-2-33:2002 (IEC 60601-2-33:2002/A1:2005)	Note 3	1.11.2008
CENELEC	EN 60601-2-34:2000 Medical electrical equipment — Part 2-34: Particular requirements for the safety, including essential performance, of invasive blood pressure monitoring equipment (IEC 60601-2-34:2000)	EN 60601-2-34:1995 Note 2.1	Date expired (1.11.2003)
CENELEC	EN 60601-2-35:1996 Medical electrical equipment — Part 2: Particular requirements for the safety of blankets, pads and mattresses, intended for heating in medical use (IEC 60601-2-35:1996)	NONE	—
CENELEC	EN 60601-2-36:1997 Medical electrical equipment — Part 2: Particular requirements for the safety of equipment for extracorporeally induced lithotripsy (IEC 60601-2-36:1997)	NONE	—
CENELEC	EN 60601-2-37:2001 Medical electrical equipment — Part 2-37: Particular requirements for the safety of ultrasonic medical diagnostic and monitoring equipment (IEC 60601-2-37:2001)	NONE	—
	Amendment A1:2005 to EN 60601-2-37:2001 (IEC 60601-2-37:2001/A1:2004)	Note 3	1.1.2008
	Amendment A2:2005 to EN 60601-2-37:2001 (IEC 60601-2-37:2001/A2:2005)	Note 3	1.12.2008
CENELEC	EN 60601-2-38:1996 Medical electrical equipment — Part 2-38: Particular requirements for the safety of electrically operated hospital beds (IEC 60601-2-38:1996)	NONE	—
CENELEC	Amendment A1:2000 to EN 60601-2-38:1996 (IEC 60601-2-38:1996/A1:1999)	Note 3	Date expired (1.1.2003)
CENELEC	EN 60601-2-39:1999 Medical electrical equipment — Part 2-39: Particular requirements for the safety of peritoneal dialysis equipment (IEC 60601-2-39:1999)	NONE	—
CENELEC	EN 60601-2-40:1998 Medical electrical equipment — Part 2-40: Particular requirements for the safety of electromyographs and evoked response equipment (IEC 60601-2-40:1998)	NONE	—
CENELEC	EN 60601-2-41:2000 Medical electrical equipment — Part 2-41: Particular requirements for the safety of surgical luminaires and luminaires for diagnosis (IEC 60601-2-41:2000)	NONE	—
CENELEC	EN 60601-2-43:2000 Medical electrical equipment — Part 2-43: Particular requirements for the safety of X-ray equipment for interventional procedures (IEC 60601-2-43:2000)	NONE	—
CENELEC	EN 60601-2-44:2001 Medical electrical equipment — Part 2-44: Particular requirements for the safety of X-ray equipment for computed tomography (IEC 60601-2-44:2001)	EN 60601-2-44:1999 Note 2.1	Date expired (1.7.2004)
CENELEC	Amendment A1:2003 to EN 60601-2-44:2001 (IEC 60601-2-44:2001/A1:2002)	Note 3	Date expired (1.12.2005)
CENELEC	EN 60601-2-45:2001 Medical electrical equipment — Part 2-45: Particular requirements for the safety of mammographic X-ray equipment and mammographic stereotactic devices (IEC 60601-2-45:2001)	EN 60601-2-45:1998 Note 2.1	Date expired (1.7.2004)
CENELEC	EN 60601-2-46:1998 Medical electrical equipment — Part 2-46: Particular requirements for the safety of operating tables (IEC 60601-2-46:1998)	NONE	—
CENELEC	EN 60601-2-47:2001 Medical electrical equipment — Part 2-47: Particular requirements for the safety, including essential performance, of ambulatory electrocardiographic systems (IEC 60601-2-47:2001)	NONE	—
CENELEC	EN 60601-2-49:2001 Medical electrical equipment — Part 2-49: Particular requirements for the safety of multifunction patient monitoring equipment (IEC 60601-2-49:2001)	NONE	—
CENELEC	EN 60601-2-50:2002 Medical electrical equipment — Part 2-50: Particular requirements for the safety of infant phototherapy equipment (IEC 60601-2-50:2000)	NONE	—
CENELEC	EN 60601-2-51:2003 Medical electrical equipment — Part 2-51: Particular requirements for safety, including essential performance, of recording and analysing single channel and multichannel electrocardiographs (IEC 60601-2-51:2003)	NONE	—
CENELEC	EN 60627:2001 Diagnostic X-ray imaging equipment — Characteristics of general purpose and mammographic anti-scatter grids (IEC 60627:2001)	NONE	—
CENELEC	EN 60645-1:2001 Electroacoustics — Audiological equipment — Part 1: Pure-tone audiometers (IEC 60645-1:2001)	EN 60645-1:1994 Note 2.1	Date expired (1.10.2004)
CENELEC	EN 60645-2:1997 Audiometers — Part 2: Equipment for speech audiometry (IEC 60645-2:1993)	NONE	—
CENELEC	EN 60645-3:1995 Audiometers — Part 3: Auditory test signals of short duration for audiometric and neuro-otological purposes (IEC 60645-3:1994)	NONE	—
CENELEC	EN 60645-4:1995 Audiometers — Part 4: Equipment for extended high-frequency audiometry (IEC 60645-4:1994)	NONE	—
CENELEC	EN 61217:1996 Radiotherapy equipment — Coordinates, movements and scales (IEC 61217:1996)	NONE	—
CENELEC	Amendment A1:2001 to EN 61217:1996 (IEC 61217:1996/A1:2000)	Note 3	Date expired (1.12.2003)
CENELEC	EN 61676:2002 Medical electrical equipment — Dosimetric instruments used for non-invasive measurement of X-ray tube voltage in diagnostic radiology (IEC 61676:2002)	NONE	—
CENELEC	EN 62083:2001 Medical electrical equipment — Requirements for the safety of radiotherapy treatment planning systems (IEC 62083:2000)	NONE	—
CENELEC	EN 62220-1:2004 Medical electrical equipment — Characteristics of digital X-ray imaging devices — Part 1: Determination of the detective quantum efficiency (IEC 62220-1:2003)	NONE	—

Note 1:

Generally the date of cessation of presumption of conformity will be the date of withdrawal (‘dow’), set by the European Standardisation Organisation, but attention of users of these standards is drawn to the fact that in certain exceptional cases this can be otherwise.

Note 2.1:

The new (or amended) standard has the same scope as the superseded standard. On the date stated, the superseded standard ceases to give presumption of conformity with the essential requirements of the directive.

Note 2.3:

The new standard has a narrower scope than the superseded standard. On the date stated the (partially) superseded standard ceases to give presumption of conformity with the essential requirements of the directive for those products that fall within the scope of the new standard. Presumption of conformity with the essential requirements of the directive for products that still fall within the scope of the (partially) superseded standard, but that do not fall within the scope of the new standard, is unaffected.

Note 3:

In case of amendments, the referenced standard is EN CCCCC:YYYY, its previous amendments, if any, and the new, quoted amendment. The superseded standard (column 3) therefore consists of EN CCCCC:YYYY and its previous amendments, if any, but without the new quoted amendment. On the date stated, the superseded standard ceases to give presumption of conformity with the essential requirements of the directive.

Example: For EN 60601-1:1990, the following applies:

CENELEC

EN 60601-1:1990

Medical electrical equipment

Part 1: General requirements for safety

IEC 60601-1:1988

[The referenced standard is EN 60601-1:1990]

NONE

[There is no superseded standard]

—

Amendment A1:1993 to EN 60601-1:1990

IEC 60601-1:1988/A1:1991

[The referenced standard is EN 60601-1:1990

+ A1:1993 to EN 60601-1:1990]

Note 3

[The superseded standard is EN 60601-1:1990]

—

Amendment A2:1995 to EN 60601-1:1990

IEC 60601-1:1988/A2:1995

[The referenced standard is EN 60601-1:1990

+ A1:1993 to EN 60601-1:1990

+ A2:1995 to EN60601-1:1990]

Note 3

[The superseded standard is EN 60601-1:1990

+ A1:1993]

—

Amendment A13:1996 to EN 60601-1:1990

[The referenced standard is EN 60601-1:1990

+ A1:1993 to EN 60601-1:1990

+ A2:1995 to EN 60601-1:1990

+ A13:1996 to EN 60601-1:1990]

Note 3

[The superseded standard is EN 60601-1:1990

+ A1:1993

+ A2:1995]

Date expired

(1.7.1996)

(1) CEN: rue de Stassart/De Stassartstraat 36, B-1050 Brussels, Tel. (32-2) 550 08 11, fax (32-2) 550 08 19 (http://www.cenorm.be)

CENELEC: rue de Stassart/De Stassartstraat 35, B-1050 Brussels, Tel. (32-2) 519 68 71, fax (32-2) 519 69 19 (http://www.cenelec.org)

ETSI: 650, route des Lucioles, F-06921 Sophia Antipolis, Tel. (33) 492 94 42 12, fax (33) 493 65 47 16 (http://www.etsi.org).

22.12.2007

Official Journal of the European Union

C 314/46

Publication of an application pursuant to Article 6(2) of Council Regulation (EC) No 510/2006 on the protection of geographical indications and designations of origin for agricultural products and foodstuffs

(2007/C 314/16)

This publication confers the right to object to the application pursuant to Article 7 of Council Regulation (EC) No 510/2006. Statements of objection must reach the Commission within six months from the date of this publication.

SUMMARY

COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 510/2006

‘ARROZ DEL DELTA DEL EBRO’ or ‘ARRÒS DEL DELTA DE L'EBRE’

EC No: ES/PDO/005/0336/11.03.2004

PDO ( X ) PGI ( )

This summary sets out the main elements of the product specification for information purposes.

1. Responsible department in the Member State:

Name:

Subdirección General de Sistemas de Calidad Diferenciada. Dirección General de Alimentación. Secretaría General de Agricultura, Pesca y Alimentación del Ministerio de Agricultura, Pesca y Alimentación

Address:

Paseo Infanta Isabel, 1

E-28071 Madrid

Tel.

(34) 913 47 53 94

Fax

(34) 913 47 54 10

E-mail:

sgcaproagro@mapya.es

2. Group:

Name:

Consejo Regulador de la Indicación Geográfica Protegida «Arroz del Delta del Ebro»

Address:

C/Prim 92 de Amposta

E-43870 Amposta (Tarragona)

Tel.

(34) 977 70 10 20 — 977 48 77 77

Fax

(34) 977 70 01 90 — 977 48 77 78

E-mail:

info@arrossaires.com

Composition:

Producers/processors ( X ) Other ( )

3. Type of product:

Class: 1.6 — Cereals

4. Specification:

(Summary of requirements under Article 4(2) of Regulation (EC) No 510/2006):

4.1. Name: ‘Arroz del Delta del Ebro’ or ‘Arròs del Delta de l'Ebre’

4.2. Description: White rice, of the commercial category ‘Extra’, belonging to the ‘Bahía’, ‘Tebre’, ‘Sénia’, ‘Fonsa’, ‘Bomba’ and ‘Montsianell’ varieties of the species Oryza sativa L.

The most widely grown varieties are ‘Bahía’, ‘Sénia’ and ‘Tebre’, which have very similar characteristics.

The specific characteristics of the grain of the principal variety of rice (Bahía) are as follows:

Basic characteristics of the different varieties:

All these varieties are distinguished by their uniform cooking characteristics and homogeneous grains and are ideal for the region's cuisine since, unlike other types of rice such as long-grain rice, the grain absorbs flavour well.

These varieties have a high concentration of starch in the centre of the grain, known as ‘pearling’, which is responsible for the absorption of the flavours of the other ingredients in the dish and for the colouring of the rice.

All the varieties to be protected by the ‘Arroz del Delta del Ebro’ PDO will on despatch exhibit all the characteristics of the ‘Extra’ category and the grains must be: healthy, without fungus, mould, insects or parasites; clean, with no extraneous smell or flavour; dry, with no more than 15 % moisture content; and without remnants of pericarp cuticles.

4.3. Geographical area: The production and processing area of the future ‘Arroz del Delta del Ebro’ PDO covers the Ebro Delta, which forms part of the Districts of Baix Ebre and Montsià in the Province of Tarragona.

The production area is made up of land suitable for rice-growing situated in the municipalities of Deltebre and Sant Jaume d'Enveja and, in the Ebro Delta, in the municipalities of L'Aldea, Amposta, L'Ampolla, Camarles and Sant Carles de la Ràpita.

The area for milling and cleaning the rice is made up of the municipalities that form the production area up to carretera nacional 340, except in the case of the municipality of Amposta, where the area ends at the A7 motorway. The rice must come from holdings located in the production area which are listed in the register of holdings kept by the Regulatory Board and must belong to authorised varieties.

4.4. Proof of origin: The rice must come from holdings listed in the register of holdings kept by the Regulatory Board and located in the production area, and must belong to authorised varieties. The rice is evaluated using one of the procedures laid down in the Specification and is stored and packed in undertakings listed in the registers of packing and marketing undertakings kept by the Regulatory Board. Rice passing the checks carried out at all stages of the production and packing process as well as the physico-chemical and organoleptic tests is marketed bearing the label and the secondary label of the protected designation of origin and, where appropriate, the numbered quality label issued by the Regulatory Board.

4.5. Method of production: The production process entails the following stages: sowing; sprouting; tillering; stem elongation, coming into ear, flowering and ripening of the grain.

Sowing is carried out between mid-April and the beginning of May, using 35-38 kg/jornal (160-175 kg/ha) if not crushed and 45-50 kg/jornal (205-228 kg/ha) if crushed and depending on the varieties, leaving the fields flooded under 5 to 10 cm of water.

After 15-20 days, the seed sprouts, producing the plant. At the same time, weeds, algae and wild rice grow. At this point, the crop is treated with selective herbicides to eliminate unwanted plants that would compete with the rice. Where conditions favour the growth of wild rice, the land is treated before sowing to remove the build-up of mud.

In addition to the basal dressing before sowing, a top dressing is applied in June to provide additional nitrogen.

Between mid-June and mid-July, tillering occurs, during which time water is added, to a level of 15-20 cm, and continually renewed.

At the beginning of September, the water level is reduced and harvesting begins, in some cases extending until the first ten days of October. Harvesting begins when the Regulatory Board declares that the rice is ripe enough. The ideal time to harvest the rice is when the moisture content of the grain is between 18 and 21 %.

On arrival at the processing plant, the rice is placed in special driers to bring the moisture content of the grain down to a maximum of 14-15 % and is then placed in storage in silos.

In order to maintain the rice in optimal condition during its time in the silos awaiting processing, air is pumped into it at intervals, preferably cold (5 °C — produced by cooling units) or at ambient temperature.

When ready to be processed, the rice is removed from the silos, the impurities removed and the husk removed using grindstones or rubber rollers. Then the rice passes to densimetric tables, where grains retaining the husk or part of the husk are separated out and returned for dehusking a second time.

The whole grains after dehusking are referred to as husked or ‘cargo’ rice, sometimes also known as whole-grain rice. After the head or pericarp has been removed, the rice is milled using abrasive stones to obtain white rice.

The whole and broken (medium-sized) grains, the embryo (germ), fragments of the embryo and other by-products are then separated to give the final milled product.

The final operation is the removal of the defective grains (green or red) via colour classification. A final selection can still be made at this stage, i.e. prior to packing, by injecting air or using a vibration system.

The packing process is automated and the rice is packed in an assortment of packaging, all of which is approved for the PDO. Each package contains one variety of rice of ‘Extra’ quality. In order to guarantee the product's traceability, the packaging will have to comply with all the checks and standards described in the Specification.

4.6. Link:

Historical

Rice originates in South-East Asia, specifically in ancient China, from which it spread more than three thousand years ago to the rest of Asia and the Middle East. Its production was then extended to the Mediterranean, appearing in Spain around the VIIIth century during the Moorish period, the modern Spanish name ‘arroz’ deriving from the Arabic ‘al-ruzz’.

Rice is a traditional crop in the Ebro Delta, closely linked to the formation and the physical and geological development of the Ebro Delta. The special characteristics of the Ebro Delta area have helped spread the reputation of rice from the area among consumers, who rapidly associate it with its origin.

There are numerous written references confirming the link between traditional rice production and the area of the Ebro Delta. The principal among these is the ‘Geografía de Catalunya’ (Geography of Catalonia) by Lluís Solé y Sabaris (1958), who writes that ‘there is evidence of attempts to grow rice in the Ebro Delta in the XVth century; however, rice production reached its height in the XIXth century’. The same work also states that ‘… in the Delta, which was used for grazing transhumant livestock, the Canal de la Derecha, constructed in Xerta in the second half of the XIXth century, permitted flooding with fresh water and the introduction of rice growing which has increased continuously, desalting salt-affected land and at the same time producing a good crop …’.

One of the earliest references dates back to 1697, when the Cistercian monks of the Benifassar Monastery experimented with rice-growing on their lands in the Carrova flood zone and peat bogs. Although the results were encouraging, production was unable to continue since, without an irrigation system, the land could not be flooded.

Around 1857, the Canal de la Derecha reached Amposta, making large-scale rice production possible.

In 1872, the Canal de la Izquierda was begun, being completed on 5 May 1912. In 1907, land owners in the Northern delta, or the ‘delta izquierdo’ formed the ‘Comunidad de Regantes-Sindicato Agrícola del Ebro’ (Association of ‘Regantes’ (land-owners with the right to irrigate) — Agricultural Union of the Ebro). The two canals would allow the transformation of the area's agriculture and a huge increase in the area devoted to rice production.

Natural

— Landscape and soil:

The development of rice production in the Ebro Delta has been influenced both by the characteristics of the climate and soil and by the land's salinity and the level of the water table. The land of the Delta is very flat, with 60 % of it lying at less than one metre above sea level (and at certain points, below sea level); 30 % at between one and two metres and only 10 % above two metres.

The soils are alluvial, formed by sedimentation, giving them a very pronounced stratification, which makes it difficult to assign a specific soil type to the whole of the Delta. The top soil has the texture of river mud and is of varying depth. It is very suitable for agricultural production and its formation is closely linked to the filling of the irrigation basins. The higher areas have finely textured subsoils.

Lower areas have a noticeable marine influence. Storms deposit enormous quantities of sand on the alluvium. Bores reveal the presence in these areas of thin layers of silt between much thicker layers of sand of a uniform, medium texture and saturated with highly saline ground water. In badly drained areas or areas with continuous lateral infiltration, organic material has built up, forming large bodies of peat. Among these high, low and peaty areas, the remaining and largest areas of land are made up of a mix of clays, silt and sand in proportions that vary as one moves away from the river and towards the sea.

— Climate:

The Delta lies within a zone whose climate is totally determined by the Mediterranean. The climate can be considered to be a Mediterranean maritime climate, i.e. warm and dry. The winters are mild, without excessive cold or much rain and with dominant, dry N-NW winds. Summers are hot and extremely dry, with subtropical temperatures, calm atmospheric conditions and humid S-SE breezes. Rainfall is not excessive and is irregular and tends to be concentrated in the spring and autumn. There is considerable humidity throughout the year.

— Hydrographical system:

The area's hydrographical system is the River Ebro. The fact that all irrigation waters come from the Ebro ensures that production in the area has uniform characteristics that differ from those of rice grown elsewhere. The water used for irrigation is of high quality, aided by the fact that the population is small and there is little industry on the banks of the River Ebro. The canals and the irrigation systems are managed by the respective ‘Comunidades de Regantes’ and ‘Sindicatos de Riego’ (Irrigation Associations).

In conclusion, and to summarise, the product can be said to be of uniform quality since, although there is a principal variety, the characteristics of the final product of all varieties — with the exception of the ‘bomba’ variety — are similar. The variety is not the only cause of variation in final products: the geographical area, the environment, the climate, the water and the ripening process all have a strong influence and all these factors vary very little throughout the production area.

The features of the area's natural environment influence the rice's characteristics. The area's climate and soil, the salinity and the level of the water table ensure that rice is the only crop grown within the defined area. The ricefields of the Delta are ideal for this crop, giving yields that are among the highest in the world, as is appropriate given their position on the 40th parallel North and the 19 °C isotherm.

Rice from the area has a proven reputation among consumers for its pearled white colour, its flavour and its texture conferred by the characteristics of the varieties used and the production area. The rice is also valued for its cooking properties, with grains that do not stick (adhesion of grains 7,3) and high water absorption (1,93 grams of water for each gram of rice), ensuring a high uptake of flavours in the various dishes for which this rice is used.

4.7. Inspection body:

Name:

Calitax

Address:

Tuset, 10

E-08006 Barcelona

Tel.

(34) 932 17 27 03

Fax

(34) 932 18 51 95

E-mail:

—

The competent authority affirms that the inspection body complies with standard EN-45011.

4.8. Labelling: The labels and secondary labels, or in general the quality labels, are numbered and issued by the Regulatory Board and are affixed in registered packing undertakings in such as way as to prevent their re-use.

Labels must bear the words ‘Denominación de Origen Protegida “Arroz del Delta del Ebro” or “Arròs del Delta de l'Ebre”’, the serial number and any other information laid down in the relevant legislation.

(1) (g. water/g. rice).

(2) 9 = very good; 7 = good; 5 = normal; 3 = substandard.

		ISSN 1725-2423
Official Journal of the European Union		C 314

English edition	Information and Notices	Volume 50 22 December 2007

	II Information
	INFORMATION FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS AND BODIES
	Commission
2007/C 314/03	Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case COMP/M.4848 — Basell/Lyondell) ( 1 )	22

2007/C 314/04	Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case COMP/M.4860 — HRE/DEPFA) ( 1 )	22

2007/C 314/05	Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case COMP/M.4969 — DZ Equity Partner/Welle Holding/PAIDI Möbel) ( 1 )	23

2007/C 314/06	Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case COMP/M.4806 — DSB/First/Öresundståg) ( 1 )	23

	V Announcements
	ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES
	Commission
2007/C 314/11	GR-Elliniko: operation of scheduled air services — Invitation to tender for contracts for the operation of three scheduled air routes subject to public service obligations, issued by the Hellenic Republic under Article (4)(1)(d) of Council Regulation (EEC) No 2408/92	37

	PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE COMPETITION POLICY
	Commission
2007/C 314/12	Prior notification of a concentration (Case COMP/M.4959 — Goldman Sachs/MatlinPatterson/Bankenservice Kassel) — Candidate case for simplified procedure ( 1 )	40

2007/C 314/13	Prior notification of a concentration (Case COMP/M.4986 — EQT V/Securitas Direct) ( 1 )	41

	OTHER ACTS
	Council
2007/C 314/14	Notice for the attention of the persons, groups and entities on the list provided for in Article 2(3) of Council Regulation (EC) No 2580/2001 on specific restrictive measures directed against certain persons and entities with a view to combating terrorism (see Annex to Council Decision 2007/871/CFSP of 20 December 2007)	42

	Commission
2007/C 314/15	Publication pursuant to Article 12(2) of Council Regulation (EC) No 510/2006 on the protection of geographical indications and designations of origin for agricultural products and foodstuffs, concerning a cancellation application	44

2007/C 314/16	Publication of an application pursuant to Article 6(2) of Council Regulation (EC) No 510/2006 on the protection of geographical indications and designations of origin for agricultural products and foodstuffs	46

	Corrigenda
2007/C 314/17	Corrigendum to the call for expressions of interest for the position of member of the Scientific Committee of the European Union for Fundamental Rights (FRA) (OJ C 307, 18.12.2007)	52

	Currency	Exchange rate
USD	US dollar	1,438
JPY	Japanese yen	163,27
DKK	Danish krone	7,4624
GBP	Pound sterling	0,7236
SEK	Swedish krona	9,4453
CHF	Swiss franc	1,6612
ISK	Iceland króna	91,73
NOK	Norwegian krone	8,034
BGN	Bulgarian lev	1,9558
CYP	Cyprus pound	0,585274
CZK	Czech koruna	26,448
EEK	Estonian kroon	15,6466
HUF	Hungarian forint	254,04
LTL	Lithuanian litas	3,4528
LVL	Latvian lats	0,6968
MTL	Maltese lira	0,4293
PLN	Polish zloty	3,625
RON	Romanian leu	3,4965
SKK	Slovak koruna	33,599
TRY	Turkish lira	1,7172
AUD	Australian dollar	1,6613
CAD	Canadian dollar	1,4356
HKD	Hong Kong dollar	11,2184
NZD	New Zealand dollar	1,8786
SGD	Singapore dollar	2,0935
KRW	South Korean won	1 352,58
ZAR	South African rand	10,1045
CNY	Chinese yuan renminbi	10,5975
HRK	Croatian kuna	7,306
IDR	Indonesian rupiah	13 556,75
MYR	Malaysian ringgit	4,8166
PHP	Philippine peso	59,619
RUB	Russian rouble	35,563
THB	Thai baht	43,62

Notice No	Contents	page
	I Resolutions, recommendations and opinions
	RESOLUTIONS
	Council
2007/C 314/01	Resolution of the Council and of the Representatives of the Governments of the Member States, meeting within the Council, of 25 May 2007 on creating equal opportunities for all young people — full participation in society	1

	RECOMMENDATIONS
	Council
2007/C 314/02	Council recommendation of 6 December 2007 concerning a Handbook for police and security authorities concerning cooperation at major events with an international dimension	4

	IV Notices
	NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS AND BODIES
	Council
2007/C 314/07	Conclusions of the Council and of the Representatives of the Governments of the Member States, meeting within the Council, of 25 May 2007 on future perspectives for European cooperation in the field of youth policy	24

	Commission
2007/C 314/08	Euro exchange rates	27

	NOTICES FROM MEMBER STATES
2007/C 314/09	Commission communication in the framework of the implementation of the Council Directive 93/42/EEC concerning medical devices ( 1 )	28

2007/C 314/10	Amendment by France of public service obligations imposed on scheduled air services between Ajaccio, Bastia, Calvi and Figari, and Marseilles, Nice and Paris (Orly) ( 1 )	36