20. Considers it desirable to pool the information on countries of origin available to the various Member States and encourages the Commission to step up its efforts to set up a common databank; underlines that the collection and presentation of Country of Origin Information and the management of a portal should ensure that the country reports of different established experts are included, that the information is publicly accessible and kept distinct from its application by decision-makers (so that it remains impartial and free from political influence) and that ...[+++] a fair balance between governmental, non-governmental and international sources should be adhered to when collecting Country of Origin Information;

42. Whilst recognising the strong need for an eventual negotiated move to worldwide free-market rates for the prices enjoyed by Russia in its supply of oil and gas as well as the prices paid by Russia for transit rights through intermediary countries, nevertheless regrets the unilateral suspension by Russia of gas supplies to Ukraine on 1 January 2006, and calls on Russia not to use its market dominance as a political instrument in the conduct of its foreign policy; welcomes the satisfactory resolution of this crisis and calls on the EU to ensure a coordinated policy which guarantees security of energy supply and integrity of the pipeli ...[+++]nes in the transit countries as well as a diversified source of origin for these vital natural resources;

António Vitorino, Commissioner for Justice and Home Affairs, said : "With this Communication, the Commission is continuing to develop the balanced policy it has advocated from the very beginning regarding migration, based on full respect for humanitarian principles and the consolidation of a tradition of generosity and openness to lawful immigration, which it considers a source of enrichment, while taking account of the economic and social equilibrium in the host country and the country of origin, and on controlling illegal immigratio ...[+++]n, which is a source of human tragedy and an easy prey for international crime".

People leave their countries because of problems such as racism, religious strife, poverty, the widening gap between industrialized countries and developing countries, political repression. We want Canada to be generous with refugees, while at the same time addressing the problems that brings them here in the first place.

The Commission proposed the following series of realistic measures to achieve this aim, taking account of the capacities of both sides. Trade: improve trade arrangements where possible; emphasize trade promotion activities, particularly with a view to diversifying the range of products and services exported; Regional integration: support the efforts already being made in the region, particularly by encouraging the harmonization of industrial standards and cooperation in the telecommunications field, and by devising cumulative origin rules for the regional groups; Economic cooperation: intensify contacts between businesses; encourage ...[+++]the setting up of data banks and joint investment committees; encourage cooperation between Chambers of Commerce and training programmes; Developement: continue official development assistance to eligible countries and improve coordination with other sources of finance to make it more effective; ../.- 2 - Finance: resume provision of export credits for those countries which have adopted satisfactory adjustment policies; Macroeconomic: work towards improving the international environment, which will help Latin America solve the problems it faces (debt, industrial resettlement, etc.), and strengthen the dialogue with countries in the region; Politics: arrange political consultations with Latin American countries or regions.

It has been suggested that other trading partners may have as many as 19 different rules of origin depending on the commercial policy requirement, leading to confusion and lack of certainty for traders.