The Commission has stated its acceptance of limited and proportionate restrictions to the principle of free movement in particular as regards (a) the right to select national athletes for national team competitions; (b) the need to limit the number of participants from third countries in a competition; (c) the setting of deadlines for transfers of players in team sports.

12. Believes that the national dimension in football, whether at club or at national team level, constitutes one of the most popular elements of the game; notes that the pyramid structure of football in effect integrates national and European competitions in a way which is appealing to supporters; considers that any attempt to remove the national element from football would jeopardise the continued existence of national competitions and teams and, ultimately, such events as the World Cup, and believes therefore that any moves at EU level which might remove the national element should be avoided, as this would be detrimental to the game ...[+++];

Additionally, the EU needs guaranteed and competitive capabilities in the launch and operation of space assets as part of a European Space Policy.

2.3. Stimulating the creativity of basic research through competition between teams at European level

1. Welcomes the Commission's statements regarding the significant educational and social functions of sport; emphasises the integrative nature of sport and its importance not only as regards physical development but also in intellectual terms through the inculcation of important social values, such as team spirit, fair competition, cooperation, tolerance and solidarity;

The list includes the following events: the Summer and Winter Olympic Games; the football World Cup Final and all World Cup championship matches involving the Italian national team; the European Football Championship Final and all European Football Championship matches involving the Italian national team; all matches involving the Italian national football team, at home and away, in official competitions; the Final and the semi-finals of the Champions League and the UEFA Cup where an Italian team is involved; the Tour of Italy (Giro d'Italia) cycling competition; the Formula One Italian Grand Prix; the San Remo Italian music festi ...[+++]val.