Given the different stages of the revision process for those Decisions, it is appropriate to prolong the periods of validity of the ecological criteria and the related assessment and verification requirements which they set out.

- in relation to MAP 3/Milestone 4 “evaluation of efficiency, effectiveness of the secretariat performance and its leadership and management”, to describe the status of the balanced scoreboard intended for performance measurement of the College and the annual staff appraisal exercise; in relation to MAP 4/ Milestone 1 “review of the financial and accounting circuits”, to be more specific on planned future development of the financial procedures by describing the results of the review, especially the most important recommendations that the College plans to implement in order to promote effective financial procedures, including controls;

Whereas the Commission has consulted the European social partners in 2006 and 2007 in a first and second stage consultation on reconciliation of professional, private and family life, and, among other things, has addressed the issue of updating the regulatory framework at Community level, and has encouraged the European social partners to assess the provisions of their framework agreement on parental leave with a view to its review.

28. Welcomes the safeguard measures provided for in the agreement, but points out that the instruments provided for their adoption are complex, which could limit the chances of implementing them; calls on both parties to avoid unnecessary abuse of these safeguards; calls on the Commission to accept, within the framework of the ongoing negotiations with a view to concluding a comprehensive EPA, a revision of the safeguards contained in the interim EPA in order to guarantee appropriate, transparent and quick utilisation provided that the criteria for their application are met;

5. Calls on all States and other relevant actors to renew their commitment to the humanitarian aims of the Convention, in advance of the Nairobi Summit; to ensure that the first Review Conference will be a significant milestone in marking achievements and assessing the challenges that remain; and to declare at the Summit their unwavering determination and commitment to put an end to the suffering caused by anti-personnel mines;

With that aim in view, action is required now, involving the definition of priority policy objectives for each Member State, stable and jointly agreed criteria to measure the progress achieved and timetables for the review and revision of the policies employed.