In accordance with the principle of autonomy of the parties, it is for the representatives of employees and the management of the undertaking or the group’s controlling undertaking to determine by agreement the nature, composition, the function, mode of operation, procedures and financial resources of European Works Councils or other information and consultation procedures so as to suit their own particular circumstances.

As the Joint Undertaking is a body set up by the Communities, its decision-making process should guarantee the Community’s decision-making autonomy, in particular in respect of; issues having an impact on the strategic orientation of the Joint Undertaking, the Community’s contribution, and the independence and equal treatment of the Joint Undertaking’s staff.

Commercial services" means transport the costs of which are met by the undertaking's revenue.

Without prejudice of the High Level Group's autonomy to establish its methodology, the High Level Group shall build a strong expertise and knowledge about best practices, innovative experiences and benchmarking examples, implemented by companies, trade unions, works council, NGOs or any other organisation or institutions at any level (EU,national, local, enterprise) which may be considered as relevant.

The present concentration rules - which generally require the Commission, within a month of receiving notification, to give the businesses involved an indication as to where they stand legally - apply to concentrative joint ventures, i.e. those enjoying genuine autonomy vis-à-vis the parent companies concerned.

The competent public authorities, undertakings or the two sides of industry; each within their own sphere of competence; should set up continuing and permanent training systems enabling every person to undergo retraining more especially through leave for training purposes; to improve his skills or to acquire new skills; particularly in the light of technical developments; " Considering that employers and unions in the Social Dialogue have pointed out in joint statements of 19 June 1990, 6 November 1990 and 20 December 1991 that an improvement of European vocational education and training is crucial to a strengthening of the competitiveness of European business enterprises, and that ...[+++] intensified efforts in this area play a central role in the development of regional policies and development of industry and trade; Considering that the European Parliament; in its Resolution adopted on 15 May 1992, asks Member States to ensure that training programmes lead to high-level qualifications and recommends analyses of the sandwich-type education programmes for the purposes of placing greater emphasis on vocational education and training; Referring to the Resolution of the European Parliament of 21 April 1993 on vocational training policy in the 1990s; Considering that vocational, technological and demographic developments call for improved possibilities of continued training within the framework of cohesive policies in the fields of labour market conditions and vocational education and training; Whereas co-operation in the field of vocational training should also be based on existing provisions in force in the Member States, taking into account the respective responsibilities of the competent public authorities, undertakings and social partners; while respecting the diversity of national legal system,s and practices, the powers under national law of the parties concerned and contractual autonomy; whereas the initiatives taken at national level by the Member States an ...