The only thing I might add, which may save us the time of going through the second motion that's put forward, and I do support Madam Bourgeois' motion, is to add the detail that is different in mine, which is that we recommend a moratorium on all contracts and tendering related to and associated with the architectural restoration of the Parliament Buildings until such time as this committee can undertake its study to assure ourselves that there is no political interference or tampering or hanky-panky in the contracting process.

Thirdly, interaction with other policy areas: innovation policy must often be implemented via other policies, to take account of the diversity of factors influencing innovation by enterprises.

The absence of fully-fledged innovation policies, lack of coordination between policy areas having a bearing on innovation, limited human and financial resources for implementation of innovation initiatives, as well as weak financial systems and limited capacity among firms for absorption and application of knowledge and for networking, all constitute significant challenges to a strengthening of innovation capacity and will need proper policy responses by the EU [18].

GREEN PAPER ON ENERGY POLICY GUIDELINES - COUNCIL CONCLUSIONS The Council adopted the following conclusions after a discussion based on a Commission progress report on the energy policy Green Paper: "The Council - notes with satisfaction the wide consultations undertaken with Member States, consumer interests and industry; - confirms that improved competitiveness, strengthened security of supply and enhanced protection of the environment in the light of the obligations arising out of the Framework Convention on Climate Change are main objectives to be considered in the context of energy policy; - recalls the importance of the completion of the internal energy market in the framework of Union policy in the energy sector; - recommends that ...[+++] these elements are developed further in the Green Paper which in particular should facilitate a wide debate on: * the effective operation of the energy markets and the extent to which policy interventions, if any, are necessary; * long-term supply perspectives; * reconciling energy and environmental policies; * the division of responsibilities between the Communities, Member States and industry, taking into account the principle of subsidiarity, economic and social cohesion and the extent to which common objectives and the convergence of national policies may be necessary; * the promotion of energy efficiency and renewable energies; * the further development of cooperation with third countries in the field of energy; - desires that the dialogue between the Commission and the Member States and the European associations of industry, energy companies, the trade unions and the consumer be continued with the aim of reaching as broad as possible a consensus on the future orientation of energy policies; - invites the Commission to submit the Green Paper to the Council and the other European Community Institutions as soon as possible with a view to continuing the debate".

The principles which should guide Community and Member States' development cooperation are: - gender analysis at macro-, meso- and micro-level must be mainstreamed in the conception, design and implementation of all development policies and interventions, as well as in monitoring and evaluation; - women and men should both participate in and benefit from the development process on an equal basis; - reducing gender disparities is a priority for society as a whole; - analysis of differences and disparities between women and men must be a key criterion for assessing the goals and results of development policies and interventions; - deve ...[+++]lopment cooperation must encourage and support changes in attitudes, structures and mechanisms at political, legal, community and household level in order to reduce gender inequalities and in particular: = political power-sharing and full and equal participation in decision-making must be promoted at all levels, = economic empowerment and equal access to and control over economic resources must be strengthened, = equal access to and control over social development opportunities must be fostered.

The main changes in the rules - The priorities of the Structural Funds have been adapted to take account of new political priorities, particularly in the social field and fisheries and with regard to changes in the countryside. - Although geographical concentration on Objective 1 has been somewhat diluted by the political choices made, financial concentration on those regions will be considerably enhanced. - In future the partnership will embrace the economic and social partners in compliance with the institutional rules and existing practices of each Member State. - Programming procedures will be adjusted to simplify decision-making pro ...[+++]cedures while ensuring equal availability of the information required for the granting of Community assistance. - Structural measures will be implemented with greater transparency. - There are better arrangements for ensuring the prior appraisal, monitoring and ex post evaluation of structural measures. - Environmental concerns play their full part in the programming process. - The principle of additionality and the criteria for judging compliance have been clarified. - There will be greater flexibility in the areas which the Funds can assist and in modulation of their rates of assistance.