2006/215/EC: Commission Decision of  15 March 2006  on setting up a high level expert group to advise the European Commission on the implementation and the development of the i2010 strategy
Date: 2006-03-15
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: advisory committee (EU), information society, information technology, operation of the Institutions, self-employed person

L 80/74

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

17.3.2006

COMMISSION DECISION

of 15 March 2006

on setting up a high level expert group to advise the European Commission on the implementation
and the development of the i2010 strategy

(2006/215/EC)

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty
Community,

establishing the European

possible improvements and adjustments on i2010 actions,
on the basis of the monitoring of i2010 implementation
and the evolution of policy;

Whereas:

— offer a forum for strategic discussions and for the exchange
of experiences, with all Commission services involved; and

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

i2010),

‘the Commission will

As indicated in the conclusions of the Communication
from the Commission entitled ‘i2010 — A European
Information Society for growth and employment’ (1)
(hereafter
strengthen
dialogue with stakeholders and work with Member
States to address ICT issues, notably through the open
method of coordination’. Therefore, the Commission may
need to call upon the guidance and expertise of an
advisory body with Member State officials specialising
in the ICT policy area.

The group must contribute to the efficient implemen-
tation of i2010.

The group must be made up of high level representatives
from the Member States, and open to observers from
acceding and EEA countries.

The ‘i2010 high level group’ has therefore to be set up
and its
reference and structures must be
detailed,

terms of

— exchange views on issues arising from the national reform
plans, in the areas covered by i2010, in relation to achieving
the objectives of the Lisbon Strategy.

Article 3

Composition — Appointment

1.
The Group shall be composed of one representative of
each Member State and the Commission. Member State repre-
sentatives may be accompanied by appropriate colleagues
according to the subject matter discussed, without prejudice
reimbursement of meeting
to the
expenses. The representatives shall be high level civil servants
dealing with information society issues at national level, able to
ensure appropriate coordination between the national public
authorities involved in the various areas covered by the i2010
strategy.

applicable

rules

for

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

Article 1

A group of experts, the ‘i2010 High Level Group’, hereinafter
referred to as ‘the Group’, is hereby set up by the Commission.

Article 2

Task

The Commission may authorise the participation of
2.
observers from EEA countries and acceding countries. These
observers are nominated according to the same criteria as
referred to in paragraph 1.

3. Member States, EEA countries and acceding countries shall
notify the Commission of the names and contact details of their
nominees and of any subsequent changes.

The Commission may consult the group on any matter relating
to the implementation of the i2010 strategy.

The Group’s task is to:

4.
The names of the appointed members shall be published
on the i2010 website (www.europa.eu.int/i2010). The member-
ship list will be updated by the Information Society and Media
Directorate-General each time changes are notified by Member
States.

— discuss strategic ICT policy issues in the context of i2010
and in the wider context of the Lisbon agenda, review the
i2010, and give input and advice on
effectiveness of

Article 4

Operation

(1) COM(2005) 229 final.

1.

The group is chaired by the Commission.

17.3.2006

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 80/75

The Commission may, after consultation of the group,
2.
establish subgroups to examine specific questions under the
terms of reference established by the group;
they shall be
disbanded as soon as these terms of reference have been
fulfilled.

The Commission may ask experts or observers with
3.
specific competence on a subject on the agenda to participate
in the group’s or subgroup’s deliberations if this is seen as
useful and/or necessary.

Information obtained by participating in the group’s or
4.
subgroup’s
the
shall not
Commission indicates that this relates to confidential matters.

deliberations

divulged

be

if

Article 5

Meeting expenses

The Commission shall
and subsistence
reimburse
expenses for members, experts and observers in connection
with the group’s activities in accordance with the provisions
in force in the Commission. The members shall not be paid
for their duties.

travel

Meeting expenses are reimbursed within the limits of the appro-
priations allocated to the department concerned under the
annual procedure for allocating resources.

Article 6

Entry into force

The decision shall take effect on the day of its publication in
the Official Journal of the European Union. It is applicable until
31 December 2010. The Commission shall decide on a possible
extension before that date.

The group shall adopt its rules of procedure on the basis

5.
of the standard rules of procedure (1).

Done at Brussels, 15 March 2006.

The Commission may publish any résumé, conclusion,

6.
partial conclusion or working document of the group.

For the Commission

Viviane REDING
Member of the Commission

(1) Annex III of SEC(2005) 1004 of 27 July 2005.