30.12.2006 Official Journal of the European Union L 391/19 (Acts whose publication is not obligatory) COUNCIL COUNCIL DECISION of 18 December 2006 concerning the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom) or nuclear research and training activities (2007 to 2011) (2006/969/EC) THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Atomic Energy Community, and in particular Article 7 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: 1 Joint national and European efforts in the area of research and training are essential to promote and ensure economic growth and citizen’s wellbeing in Europe. The Seventh Framework Programme should complement other EU actions in the area of the research policy that are necessary for the implementation of the Lisbon strategy, in particular those on education, training, competitiveness and innovation, industry, employment, and environment. The Seventh Framework Programme builds on the achievements of its predecessor towards the creation of the European Research Area and carries them further towards the development of the knowledge economy and society in Europe. The Commission Green Paper ‘Towards a European strategy for energy supply highlights the contribution of nuclear power to reducing emissions of greenhouse gases and to reducing Europe’s dependence on imported energy. On 24 August 2005, the Commission submitted the conclusions of an external assessment of the implementa- tion and results of the Community activities in this field carried out in the five years preceding that assessment, accompanied by its observations. (") Opinion of 15 June 2006 (not yet published in the Official Journal). () 0JC65,17.3.2006, p. 9. (6) (10) With reference to the Council Decision of 26 November 2004 amending the directives of negotiations on Interna- tional Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER), the realisation of ITER in Europe, within a broader approach to fusion energy, should be the central feature of the activities on fusion research carried out under the Seventh Framework Programme. Implementation of the Seventh Framework Programme may give rise to the setting up of joint undertakings within the meaning of Articles 45 to 51 of the Treaty. Research activities supported by the Seventh Framework Programme should comply with fundamental ethical principles, including those reflected in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union. The opinions of the European Group on Ethics in Science and New Technologies are and will be taken into account. This Decision establishes, for the entire duration of the programme, a financial envelope which constitutes the prime reference within the meaning of point 37 of the Interinstitutional Agreement of 17 May 2006 between the European Parliament, the Council and the Commis- sion on budgetary discipline and sound financial manage- ment (), for the budgetary authority during the annual budgetary procedure. It is important to ensure sound financial management of the Seventh Framework Programme and its implementa- tion in the most effective and user-friendly manner possible, as well as ease of access for all participants. Under the Seventh Framework Programme, due regard should be paid to the role of women in science and research with a view to further enhancing their active role in research. () 0JC139,14.6.2006,p. 1.