24.11.2006 Official Journal of the European Union L 327/45 DECISION No 1720/2006/EC OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 15 November 2006 establishing an action programme in the field of lifelong learning THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Commu- nity, and in particular Articles 149(4) and 150(4) 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 (%), Acting in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 251 of the Treaty (%), Whereas: (1) Council Decision 1999/382[EC (¥ established the second phase of the Community vocational training action programme ‘Leonardo da Vinci'. (2) Decision No 253/2000/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (°) established the second phase of the Community action programme in the field of education ‘Socrates’. (3) Decision No 2318/2003/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council () established a multi-annual pro- gramme for the effective integration of information and communication technologies (ICT) in education and training systems in Europe (eLearning programme). (4)  Decision No 791/2004/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council () established a Community action programme to promote bodies active at European level in the field of education and training and to support specific activities in this field. (5) Decision No 2241/2004/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (¥ established a single framework for the transparency of qualifications and competences (Euro- pass). (6) Decision No 2317/2003/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (°) established a programme for the () 0] C 221, 8.9.2005, p. 134. () O] C 164, 5.7.2005, p. 59. (*) Opinion of the European Parliament delivered on 25 October 2005 (not yet published in the OJ, Council Common Position delivered on 24 July 2006 (O] C 251 E, 17.10.2006, p. 37), Position of the European Parliament delivered on 25 October 2006 (not yet published in the OJ). (% OJ L 146, 11.6.1999, p. 33. Decision as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 885/2004 (O] L 168, 1.5.2004, p. 1). () OJL 28,3.2.2000, p. 1. Decision as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 885/2004. () OJ L 345, 31.12.2003, p. 9. () OJL 138, 30.4.2004, p. 31. ) OJ L 390, 31.12.2004, p. 6. () OJ L 345, 31.12.2003, p. 1. (10) (11) (12) enhancement of quality in higher education and the promotion of intercultural understanding through cooper- ation with third countries (Erasmus Mundus) (2004 to 2008). The Bologna Declaration, signed by the Ministers for Education of 29 European countries on 19 June 1999, established an intergovernmental process aimed at creating a ‘European Area of Higher Education’ by 2010, which requires support at Community level. The Lisbon European Council of 23 and 24 March 2000 set a strategic goal for the European Union to become the most competitive and dynamic knowledge-based economy in the world, capable of sustainable economic growth with more and better jobs and greater social cohesion, and invited the Education Council to undertake a general reflection on the concrete future objectives of education systems, focusing on common concerns and priorities while respecting national diversity. An advanced knowledge society is the key to higher growth and employment rates. Education and training are essential priorities for the European Union in order to achieve the Lisbon goals. On 12 February 2001 the Council adopted a report on the concrete future objectives of education and training systems. On 14 June 2002 it subsequently adopted a detailed work programme on the follow-up of these objectives, requiring support at Community level. The Géteborg European Council of 15 and 16 June 2001 agreed a strategy for sustainable development and added an environmental dimension to the Lisbon process for employment, economic reform and social cohesion. The Barcelona European Council of 15 and 16 March 2002 set the objective of making European Union education and training systems a world quality reference by 2010, and called for action to improve the mastery of basic skills, in particular by teaching at least two foreign languages from a very early age.