– to promote a contradictory policy vis-à-vis Russia by offering in general cooperation, but denying Russian integration into BMD, and then pointing out the threat of short range (Russian) missiles.

Examples of bands harmonised at EU level include the bands for GSM, UMTS and shortrange devices;

3. This Decision is without prejudice to the right of Member States to allow the use of the frequency bands under less restrictive conditions or for short-range devices which are not part of the harmonised category provided that this does not prevent or reduce the possibility for short-range devices of such a category to rely on the appropriate set of harmonised technical and operational conditions, as specified in the Annex to this Decision, which allow the shared use of a specific part of the spectrum on a non-exclusive basis and for different purposes by short range devices of the same category’.

17. Expresses concern about the situation for human rights defenders and political opposition activists in Bahrain; condemns the use of lethal violence by security forces against peaceful protestors, including the excessive use of teargas and birdshot at close range; reiterates its call for EU Member States to work towards the adoption at the UNHRC of a resolution concerning the human rights situation in Bahrain;

As is clear from the Communication adopted by the Commission (COM(2011)0180), several agenda items have a strong EU policy dimension, and situations could arise where common rules may be affected, such as those dealing with the digital dividend or short-range devices, as there is existing EU legislation in force for the spectrum bands concerned and changes in the Radio Regulations could directly affect their scope.

33. Welcomes the recent statements by US Vice-President Joe Biden at the European Security Conference in Munich indicating that the US will continue the consultations with its NATO allies and Russia on the US missile defence system and adding that the new administration would consider the costs and efficiency of the system; notes some signals from Russia that it would suspend the plans to station short-range Iskander missiles in Kaliningrad;