The European Parliament

• having regard to the Commission Communication of 7 June 2005 entitled Nanosciences and nanotechnologies: An action plan for Europe 2005 2009 (COM(2005)0243),

• having regard to the joint report by the Royal Society and the Royal Academy of Engineering of 29 July 2004 entitled Nanoscience and nanotechnologies: opportunities and uncertainties,

• having regard to the Presidency Conclusions of the Brussels Competitiveness Council of 24 September 2004,

• having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee on the Commission Communication: Towards a European strategy for nanotechnology and its opinion regarding the above-mentioned Commission Communication of 7 June 2005,

• having regard to Rule 45 of its Rules of Procedure,

• having regard to the report of the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy and the opinions of the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety and the Committee on Legal Affairs (A6-0216/2006),

  1. whereas the Commission has adopted an Action Plan for the immediate implementation of a safe, integrated and responsible strategy for nanosciences and nanotechnologies,

  2. whereas nanosciences and nanotechnologies have the potential as multidisciplinary sectors to benefit society hugely by the development of new products, materials, applications and services, thereby raising productivity and the quality of life in the EU as a whole,

  3. whereas the Council recognises the...