Recommendation 2005/761 - Recommendation of the European Parliament and of the Council of 28 September 2005 to facilitate the issue by the Member States of uniform short-stay visas for researchers from third countries travelling within the EC for the purpose of carrying out scientific research - Main contents

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 289/23

With a view to consolidating and restructuring European research policy, the Commission stated in its Communication of 18 January 2000 entitled ‘Towards a European Research Area’ that it was necessary to create a European research area as the centrepiece of future action by the Community in this field.

At its meeting in Lisbon of 23 and 24 March 2000, the European Council, endorsing the European Research Area, set the Community the target of becoming the most competitive and dynamic knowledge-based economy in the world by the year 2010.

The globalisation of the economy calls for greater mobility for researchers, which was recognised by the Community's sixth framework programme for research (4) when it opened up, to an even greater extent, its programmes to researchers from third countries.

The number of researchers which the Community will need if it is to meet the target set by the European Council at its meeting in Barcelona of 15 and 16 March 2002 of investing 3 % of GDP in research is put at 700 000. This target should be met through a series of interlocking measures, such as making scientific careers more attractive to young people, promoting women's involvement in scientific research, increasing the opportunities for training and mobility in research, improving career prospects for researchers within the Community and opening up the Community to third-country nationals who might be allowed to enter and travel within the common area for the purposes of research.

In order to be competitive and attractive at international level, Member States should take the necessary steps to make it easier for researchers to enter and move within the Community for short periods.

For short stays, Member States should undertake to consider researchers from third countries, subject to a visa requirement under Regulation (EC) No 539/2001 (5), as persons acting in good faith and extend to them the advantages provided for in the acquis communautaire for the purpose of the procedures for issuing short-stay visas.

Measures should be taken to encourage the exchange of information and best practices in order to improve the procedures for issuing short-stay visas for researchers.

This Recommendation respects the fundamental rights and observes the principles laid down in particular by the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union.

In accordance with Articles 1 and 2 of the Protocol on the position of Denmark annexed to the Treaty on European Union and the Treaty establishing the European Community, Denmark is not taking part in the adoption of this Recommendation and is not affected by it. Given that this Recommendation builds upon the Schengen acquis, under the provisions of Title IV of Part Three of the Treaty establishing the European Community, Denmark shall, in accordance with Article 5 of the said Protocol, decide within a period...