12.6.2008 Official Journal of the European Union L 1531 (Acts adopted under the EC Treaty/Euratom Treaty whose publication is obligatory) REGULATIONS COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 521/2008 of 30 May 2008 setting up the Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking (Text with EEA relevance) THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 171 and 172 thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament, Having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee, Whereas: Decision No 1982/2006EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 December 2006 concerning the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007-2013) (%) (hereinafter referred to as the Seventh Framework Programme), provides for a Community contribution for the estab- lishment of long term public-private partnerships in the form of Joint Technology Initiatives (hereinafter referred to as JTI) which could be implemented through Joint Undertakings within the meaning of Article 171 of the Treaty. These JTI were established as a result of the work of European Technology Platforms, already set up under the Sixth Framework Programme, and cover selected aspects of research in their field. They should combine private-sector investment and European public funding, including funding from the Seventh Framework Programme. () O] L 412, 30.12.2006, p. 1. @) Council Decision 2006/971/EC of 19 December 2006 concerning the Specific Programme ‘Cooperation’” imple- menting the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological deve- lopment and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) (), underlines the need for ambitious pan- European public-private partnerships to accelerate the development of major technologies and large research actions at Community level including, in particular, JTL The Lisbon Growth and Jobs Agenda underscores the need to develop favourable conditions for investment in knowledge and innovation in the Community to boost competitiveness, growth and jobs. In March 2007 the European Council concluded that Member States were determined to promote eco-inno- vations through an ambitious approach, taking full advantage of lead markets in areas such as sustainable and safe low carbon technologies, renewable energies and energy and resource efficiency; it recognised the need to strengthen energy research in particular to accelerate the competitiveness  of  sustainable energies, notably renewables, and low carbon technologies and the further development of energy efficiency technologies. In its conclusions of 3 March 2003, of 22 September 2003 and of 24 September 2004, the Council high- lighted the importance of further developing actions following the 3 % Action Plan for research and the inno- vation policy, including the development of new initiatives aimed at intensifying cooperation between industry and the public sector in funding research to enhance trans-national public-private links. () OJ L 400, 30.12.2006, p. 86, as corrected by OJ L 54, 22.2.2007, p. 30.