Commission Decision of 19 August 2011 establishing the European Research and Innovation Area Board

20.8.2011 EN Official Journal of the European Union C 243/12
COMMISSION DECISION
of 19 August 2011
establishing the European Research and Innovation Area Board
(2011/0000/)
THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION
,
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Atomic Energy Community,
Whereas:
(1) In order to advise the Commission on the realisation of the European Research Area, taking into account the objectives set out in the Commissions Green Paper ‘The European Research Area: New Perspectives’ (1), the European Research Area Board (ERAB) was set up by Commission Decision 2008/111/EC, Euratom (2).
(2) Decision 2008/111/EC, Euratom will expire on 29 February 2012.
(3) Following the Commission Communication ‘Europe 2020: a strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth’ (3), the Council gave its political endorsement on the new strategy on 17 June 2010.
(4) The Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions: Europe 2020 Flagship Initiative — Innovation Union (4), adopted by the European Commission on 6 October 2010, brings research and innovation policies into a single framework and is a critical component of the overall Europe 2020 strategy and a contributor to each of its three pillars, namely growth that is smart, sustainable and inclusive.
(5) In the Commission Communication on Innovation Union Flagship Initiative the Commission announced to expand the remit of the ERAB as set out in its Decision 2008/111/EC, Euratom, to evaluate the Innovation Union on a continuous basis, reflect on new trends and provide recommendations on priorities and actions.
(6) The European Research and Innovation Area Board (the Board) should support the Commission in its efforts to achieve the objectives specified in Decision No 1982/2006/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 December 2006 concerning the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) (5), and in Council Decision 2006/970/Euratom of 18 December 2006 concerning the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom) for nuclear research and training activities (2007 to 2011) (6), as well as in the subsequent European Union and Euratom framework programmes.
(7) The Chairperson and the members of the Board shall be proposed to the Commission by an Independent High-Level Identification Committee composed of representatives from business and academia.
(8) In order to strengthen the Board's capacity and to ensure its continuity, the Commission services may appoint honorary members to the Board, on the basis of the merit and services rendered by members who have completed their terms.
(9) Rules on disclosure of information by members of the Board should be provided for, without prejudice to the rules on security annexed to the Commission Rules of Procedure, by Decision 2001/844/EC, ECSC, Euratom (7).
(10) Personal data relating to members of the Board should be processed in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 45/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 December 2000 on the protection of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data by the Community institutions and bodies and on the free movement of such data (8).
(11) It is appropriate to fix a period for the application of this Decision. The Commission will in due time consider the advisability of an extension,