D. whereas 26 EU Member States have individual bilateral investment agreements in force with China; whereas the EU has not yet developed a sustainable long-term industrial policy that would be a driver for its offensive and defensive interests in the framework of its new foreign investment policy;

ODA, foreign direct investment (FDI), trade, debt, climate change, technology transfer, business environment and aid agency procurement policies should all be aligned to promote better development.

13. Believes that EU investment policy should take into account the differences between middle-income and low-income countries and, in particular, seek to encourage flexibility in relation to foreign investment in developing countries in activities and sectors with a clear and significant impact on sustainable development, which might otherwise not attract investment because of the risks involved; considers that greater support should be given to local firms, notably through incentives for strengthening their productivity, engaging in closer cooperation and improving workforce skills – areas of, considerable potential in terms of boosti ...[+++]ng economic development, competitiveness and growth in developing countries;

The Commission has indicated its intention to amend, before the entry into force of this Directive, Commission Decision 2002/622/EC of 26 July 2002 establishing a Radio Spectrum Policy Group in order to provide a mechanism for the European Parliament and the Council to request opinions or reports, either orally or in writing, from the Radio Spectrum Policy Group (RSPG) on spectrum policy relating to electronic communications, and in order for RSPG to advise the Commission on the proposed content of the radio spectrum policy programmes.

Such a policy calls for a very wide range of measures, essential amongst which is the one relating to the policy on visa requirements for foreigners wishing to cross external borders.

(1) On 10 November 1999 the Commission presented a communication to the European Parliament, the Council, the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions proposing the next steps in radio spectrum policy on the basis of the results of the public consultation on the Green Paper on radio spectrum policy in the context of European Community policies such as telecommunications, broadcasting, transport and research and development (R D).