20.11.2007 Official Journal of the European Union L 301/3 DECISIONS ADOPTED JOINTLY BY THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL DECISION No 1350/2007/EC OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 23 October 2007 establishing a second programme of Community action in the field of health (2008-13) (Text with EEA relevance) THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 152 thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, Having regard to the Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee (1), Having regard to the opinion of the Committee of the Regions (3), Acting in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 251 of the Treaty (3, 2 The health sector is characterised on the one hand by its considerable potential for growth, innovation and dynamism, and on the other by the challenges it faces in terms of financial and social sustainability and effi- ciency of the health care systems due, among other things, to ageing of the population and to medical advances. The programme of Community action in the field of public health (2003-08), adopted by Decision No 1786/2002/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (*, was the first integrated Community programme in this field, and it has already delivered a number of important developments and improvements. Continued effort is required in order to meet the objectives already established by the Community in the field of public health. It is therefore appropriate to establish a second programme of Community action on health (2008-13) (hereinafter referred to as ‘the Programme’). Whereas: (5 A number of serious cross-border health threats with a ) ) ) possible worldwide dimension exist and new ones are (1) The Community can contribute to protecting the health emerging which require further Community action. The and safety of citizens through actions in the field of public health. A high level of health protection should be ensured in the definition and implementation of all Community policies and activities. Under Article 152 of the Treaty, the Community is required to play an active role by taking measures which cannot be taken by indi- vidual Member States, in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity. The Community fully respects the responsi- bilities of the Member States for the organisation and delivery of health services and medical care. (1) O] C 88, 11.4.2006, p. 1. () O] C 192, 16.8.2006, p. 8. (}) Opinion of the European Parliament of 16 March 2006 (O] C 291 Community should treat serious cross-border health threats as a matter of priority. The Programme should place emphasis on strengthening the Community’s overall capacities by further developing cooperation between the Member States. Monitoring, early warning and action to combat serious threats to health are important areas where an effective and coordinated response to health threats should be promoted at Community level. Action to ensure high-quality diag- nostic cooperation between laboratories is essential in order to respond to health threats. The Programme should encourage the establishment of a system of Community reference laboratories. However, such a E, 30.11.2006, p. 372), Council Common Position of 22 March system needs to be based on a sound legal base. 2007 (O] C 103 E, 8.5.2007, p. 11) and Position of the European Parliament of 10 July 2007 (not yet published in the Official Journal). Council Decision of 9 October 2007. (* OJ L 271, 9.10.2002, p. 1. Decision as amended by Decision No 786/2004[EC (O] L 138, 30.4.2004, p. 7).