L 315/18 Official Journal of the European Union 2.12.2009 COMMISSION DECISION of 30 November 2009 establishing a European Union Committee of Experts on Rare Diseases (2009/872[EC) THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, (6)  This need for a framework was reflected in the Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 152 thereof, Whereas: (1)  The Commission White Paper ‘Together for health: a strategic approach for the EU 2008-2013’ (') adopted by the Commission on 23 October 2007, developing the EU health strategy, identified rare diseases as a priority for action. (20 In parallel, the European Parliament and the Council adopted Decision No 1350/2007/EC of 23 October 2007 establishing a second programme of Community action in the field of health (2008 to 2013) (3. According to Article 7(2) as well as to the Annex to that Decision, the actions in the field of generation and dissemination of health information and knowledge shall be implemented in close cooperation with Member States developing consultation mechanisms and participatory processes. (3)  The European Commission adopted on 11 November 2008 the ‘Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions on rare diseases: Europe’s challenges (%) (hereafter referred to as the Commission Communi- cation) and the Council on 8 June 2009 a Council Recommendation on an action in the field of rare diseases (*) (hereafter referred to as the Council Recom- mendation). (4)  The preparation and implementation of Community activities in the field of rare diseases require close coop- eration with the specialised bodies in Member States and with the interested parties. (5)  Therefore, a framework is required for the purpose of regular consultations with those bodies, with the managers of projects supported by the European Commission in the fields of research and public health action and with other relevant stakeholders acting in the field. 1) COM(2007) 630 final, 23.10.2007. () C () O] L 301, 20.11.2007, p. 3. () COM(2008) 679 final, 11.11.2008. (4 0] C 151, 3.7.2009, p. 7. Communication COM(2008) 679 final on rare diseases. Point 7 of the Communication recommended that the Commission be assisted by a European Union Advisory Committee on Rare Diseases. (7)  The Committee shall not act as a Committee within the meaning of Council Decision 1999/468/EC of 28 June 1999 laying down the procedures for the exercise of implementing powers conferred on the Commission (%), HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS: Article 1 The Commission hereby establishes a Committee of Experts on Rare Diseases, hereinafter referred to as ‘the Committee’. Article 2 1. The Committee acting in the public interest shall assist the Commission in formulating and implementing the Community’s activities in the field of rare diseases, and shall foster exchanges of relevant experience, policies and practices between the Member States and the various parties involved. 2. The tasks of the Committee shall not comprise issues covered by Regulation (EC) No 141/2000 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 1999 on orphan medicinal products (®) and issues that fall under the tasks of the Committee of Orphan Medicinal Products (COMP), set up by Article 4 of that Regulation, nor issues that fall under the tasks of the Pharmaceutical Committee, set up by Council Decision 75/320/EEC (). 3. To achieve the aims referred to in paragraph 1, the Committee shall: (a) assist the Commission in the monitoring, evaluating and disseminating the results of measures taken at Community and national level in the field of rare diseases; (b) contribute to the implementation of Community actions in the field, in particular by analysing the results and suggesting improvements to the measures taken; () O] L 184, 17.7.1999, p. 23. () O] L 18, 22.1.2000, p. 1. () O] L 147, 9.6.1975, p. 23.