European Commission Agenda, 22 February

Brussels, 21 Feb 2006

The Commission will meet in Brussels on the morning of 22 February to discuss:

• Education/R&D: following on from last year's consultation exercise, a Communication proposing the creation of a European Institute of Technology (EIT), setting out objectives and a proposed structure, will be discussed (Barroso, Figel' et al);

• Ecofin: the annual evaluation of the stability and convergence programmes of 11 EU countries (Cyprus, France*, Greece*, Ireland*, Italy*, Lithuania, Malta, the Netherlands*, Portugal*, Spain*, and the United Kingdom) will be adopted. Each year, all member states submit to the Commission revised multi-annual programmes for budgetary stability (so- called Stability Programmes for euro zone countries (*) and Convergence Programmes for non-euro zone states. These revisions detail the necessary measures to maintain or reach an appropriate budgetary position in the medium term (11 Communications, Almunia). The Commission's assessment of the action taken by Italy in response to the Council Recommendation of 28 July 2005 with a view to bringing an end to the situation of an excessive government deficit will also be adopted (Communication, Almunia).

• Other items include
  • adoption of the European Road Safety Action Programme mid-term review (Communication, Barrot).

  • Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner will present for adoption a proposed recommendation concerning the approval of an agreement between the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom) and the Korean Peninsula Energy Development Organization (KEDO) (Communication).

The European Commission Representation in the UK