Brussels, 18 March 2003
The Council adopted the Common Position with a view to the adoption of a Decision concerning the production and development of Community statistics on science and technology (doc. 14089/03 + ADD1).
The general objective of this draft European Parliament and Council Decision is to maintain and improve the Community statistical information system on science, technology and innovation in order to support and monitor Community policies.
In the Common Position the Council incorporated all the EP amendments except the one on cooperation and consultation with the Helsinki Group; the amendment on cooperation with OECD and other international organisations was accepted in substance, although the exact wording was not followed; the committee procedure was changed to a regulatory procedure.