At strategic level, the EIT organizes the selection process of KICs, according to the thematic areas approved by the European Parliament and the Council, and coordinates them with a flexible framework and disseminates their best governance and funding models.

29. Notes that the Union has developed relationships over time with countries and regional organisations that have differing contractual and legal bases, some having been termed ‘strategic’; observes that there is no clear formula for determining the Union‘s choice of a strategic partner and that, when such choices are made, Parliament is neither informed nor consulted; notes that leveraging genuine and accountable bilateral relationships can be an important force multiplier for EU foreign policy, both regionally and within multilateral fora, and that the choice of strategic partners therefore deserves careful reflection in the light o ...[+++]f the values and strategic objectives the Union wants to project;

Work with and support the Member States — during the period up to 2020 — in cooperating within this framework on the basis of the four strategic objectives, the principles and working methods described above, and the benchmarks and agreed priority areas outlined respectively in Annexes I and II hereto.

Work together, with the support of the Commission and using the open method of coordination as outlined in these conclusions, to enhance European cooperation in education and training in the period up to 2020 on the basis of the four strategic objectives, the principles and working methods described above, and of the priority areas agreed for each cycle (those for the first cycle 2009-2011 being outlined in Annex II hereto).

K. whereas recently Russia has included some of the EU's largest energy companies in a strategic partnership role in several major energy projects or has allowed EU companies to buy strategic stakes in Russian companies; noting, however, that the dismantling of Yukos and the auctioning-off of its assets do not provide for a transparent business environment; noting, further, the recent decision of 13 August 2007 of the Swiss Federal Tribunal, which ruled that the Russian authorities" prosecution of Mikhail Khodorkovsky and Yukos was illegal and politically motivated,

To focus the strategic content of rural development policy in line with the Community’s priorities and hereby favour its transparency, the Council should adopt strategic guidelines on a proposal from the Commission.