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Further Information



FP5 - The Fifth Framework Programme (1999 - 2002), launched February 1999, supports research relating to the Non-Food Use of Crops. This database contains information on projects from the previous three main European Commission programmes supporting this research:

FAIR (FP4)	AIR (FP3)	ECLAIR (FP2)

It also includes biomass and bioenergy projects from the JOULE/THERMIE Programme (Fourth Framework Programme - FP4) and other Programmes funded by the European Commission

EC Catalogues of Contracts from FP4 programmes are available as follows:
Biomass and Bioenergy Chain (including projects from the FAIR, JOULE and THERMIE Programmes)
Green Chemical and Polymer Chain (FAIR Programme)
Forestry-Wood Chain (FAIR Programme)

In 1999, CPL Scientific Ltd produced a report on the Commercial Success of ECLAIR Programme 1999 under contract FAIR-CT98-4822. The Project Summary and Preface and Overview are available in separate items.

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Introduction

The European Commission has twenty members; two members from France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom and one from each of the other Member States. The term of office has been 5 years (1995-2000)

The role and responsibilities of the European Commission place it firmly at the heart of the European Union's policy-making process. In some respects, it acts as the heart of Europe, from which the other institutions derive much of their energy and purpose.

Without the 20 men and women who are its Members and the 15 000 staff who serve it, the Union would not work. The Council and the European Parliament need a proposal from the Commission before they can pass legislation. EU laws are mainly upheld by Commission action, the integrity of the single market is preserved by Commission policing, agricultural and regional development policies are sustained, managed and developed by the Commission as is development co-operation with the countries of Central and Eastern Europe, Africa, the Caribbean and Pacific. Research and technological development programmes, vital for the future of Europe, are orchestrated by the Commission.

The Commission, in close collaboration with the European Council, frequently provides the impulse towards further integration at the crucial moments when it is needed. Decisive initiatives in recent years have been launching the strategy which culminated in the completion of the single market in 1993, the Commission's role in drawing up a blueprint for economic and monetary union and its drive to strengthen economic and social cohesion between the regions of Europe.

It is the 20 Members of the Commission who provide its political leadership and direction. They bring a powerful mix of experience to their tasks, having been members of their national parliaments or of the European Parliament and, in many cases, after having held senior ministerial offices in their home countries.

They are obliged to be completely independent of their national governments and to act only in the interests of the European Union. Such impartiality and commitment enables the Commission to be an effective honest broker, mediating conflicts of interest between Member States when needed.

The present Commission has five women members, more than any of its predecessors. The President is chosen by the Heads of State or Government meeting in the European Council after consulting the European Parliament. The other members of the Commission are nominated by the 15 member governments in consultation with the incoming President.

The Commission meets once a week to conduct its business, which may involve adopting proposals, finalising policy papers and discussing the evolution of its priority policies. Commissioners are expected to give full support to all policies, even when they are adopted by a majority.

Click to display European Commission Items relating to:

Publications
ALTENER Programme
BIOTECH2 Programme
BRITE-EURAM III
COPERNICUS Initiative
CORDIS (Community R&D Information Service)
ENVIRONMENT Research Programme
EUREKA
INNOVATION Programme
JOULE II Programme
JOULE/THERMIE Programme
Policy Documents
RENA Programme
SMEs - Small to Medium Enterprises
SMT (Standards, Measurements and Testing) Programme
STD (Science & Technology for Development) Programme

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Headquarters

• European Commission Headquarters / BELGIUM