8.2.2006 Official Journal of the European Union L 36/43 COMMISSION COMMISSION DECISION of 23 December 2005 Commission Decision setting up a High Level Group on Competitiveness, Energy and the Environment (2006/77[EC) THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, Whereas: (1)  Article 2 of the Treaty establishing the European Community assigned the Community and the Member States the task of promoting a harmonious, balanced and sustainable development of economic activities, a high level of employment and of social protection, equality between men and women, sustainable and non-inflationary growth, a high degree of competi- tiveness and convergence of economic performance, a high level of protection and improvement of the quality of the environment, the raising of the standard of living and quality of life, and economic and social cohesion and solidarity among Member States. (2 In accordance with the Communication from the Commission entitled ‘Tmplementing the Community Lisbon Programme: a policy framework to strengthen EU manufacturing — towards a more integrated approach for industrial policy’ (!), the Commission announced the intention to call upon the advice of a High Level Group on competitiveness, energy and the environment, in particular regarding the basic and inter- mediate product industries. (3)  The High Level Group should be designed to contribute to examining the links between industrial, energy and environmental policies and ensuring the coherence of individual initiatives, whilst improving both sustainability and competitiveness; and contribute, through the balanced participation of relevant stakeholders, to creating a stable and predictable regulatory framework where competitiveness, energy and environment go hand in hand, notably building upon input from research in this field. (4)  The High Level Group should bring together represen- tatives of the Commission, Member States, European Parliament and relevant stakeholders notably industry () COM(2005) 474 final of 5.10.2005. and civil society, inter alia, consumers, trade unions, NGOs and research/academia. (5)  The High Level Group on competitiveness, energy and the environment therefore has to be set up and its terms of reference and structures detailed, HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS: Article 1 A High Level Group hereafter referred to as ‘the group’ is hereby set up by the Commission. Article 2 Mandate The group’s mandate is to address issues where competitiveness, energy and environmental policies interrelate. The mandate is given for two years: it may be extended by Commission Decision. The group will provide advice, in the most appropriate format, addressed to policy makers at Community and national level, industry and civil society organisations. Article 3 Composition — appointment 1.  The members of the group shall be appointed by the Commission from high level persons with competence and responsibility in the areas of industry, energy, and the envi- ronment. 2. The group shall be composed of up to 28 members. 3. The following provision shall apply: — the members are appointed for their expertise in a personal capacity. Each member of the group shall nominate a personal representative to a preparatory sub-group hereafter referred to as ‘sherpa’ sub-group,