8.7.2003 Official Journal of the European Union L 169/1 (Acts whose publication is obligatory) DECISION No 1209/2003/EC OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 16 June 2003 on Community participation in a research and development programme aimed at developing new clinical interventions to combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis through a long-term partner- ship between Europe and developing countries, undertaken by several Member States THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Com- munity, and in particular Articles 169 and 172, second para- graph, thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission ('), Having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee (), Acting in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 251 of the Treaty (), Whereas: (1) Decision No 1513/2002/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 June 2002 concerning the sixth framework programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities, contributing to the creation of the European Research Area and to innovation (2002 to 2006) (%) (hereinafter referred to as ‘the sixth framework programme’) provides for Community participation in research and development programmes undertaken jointly by several Member States, including participation in the structures created for the execution of those programmes, within the meaning of Article 169 of the Treaty. (2)  On 30 May 2001, the Commission presented a commu- nication on the application of Article 169 of the Treaty and the networking of national programmes. (3)  The Council, in its Resolutions of 10 November 2000 and 14 May 2001, and the European Parliament, in its Resolution of 4 October 2001 (), underlined the gravity of the HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis epidemics and the need to step up efforts to increase aid at national, (1) Proposal of 29 August 2002 (not yet published in the Official Journal). () O] C 133, 6.6.2003, p. 93. (*) Opinion of the European Parliament of 27 March 2003 (not yet published in the Official Journal) and Decision of the Council of 13 May 2003. () OJL 232, 29.8.2002, p. 1. () O] C 87 E, 11.4.2002, p. 244. regional and world level, and endorsed the Programme for Action: accelerated action on HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis in the context of poverty reduction. (4 In its conclusions of 30 October 2001, the Council called on Member States to select specific areas for pilot programmes, for which Community participation in research and development programmes undertaken at the initiative of several Member States within the meaning of Article 169 of the Treaty would be appro- priate, if necessary in close collaboration with the Commission. (5) In connection with its communications to the European Parliament and the Council of 20 September 2000 and 21 February 2001 the Commission has presented an action programme aimed at combating the global problem of HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis and identifying various strategies to be implemented. This action programme has various closely linked and inter- dependent parts: promoting prevention, encouraging treatment and making essential medicinal products more affordable and stepping up research and development. The research and development part is aimed, among other things, at developing, in coordination with the application of this decision, new clinical interventions to combat the three diseases through a long-term partner- ship between Europe and developing countries. In the design of clinical trials for new clinical interventions against HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis, coexisting infections should be taken into account. (6) In their Decision No 36/2002/EC (*), the European Parliament and the Council decided that the Community would contribute EUR 60 million for the year 2001 to the global fund to fight HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. As the Global Fund does not finance research and development activities, additional funds for research and development are required. ) OJL 7, 11.1.2002, p. 1.