International co-operation

Co-operation with third countries and international organisations is an explicit requirement under Article 152 of the EC Treaty. This was stressed in the Commission's Communication on the Health Strategy of the European Community of May 2000 and is emphasised in the new public health programme (2003-2008) which will start in January 2003.Browse the Theme EFTA/EEA and associated countries This includes co-operation and active participation of the EEA/EFTA countries in Community activities in accordance with the conditions established in the EEA Agreement.Third countries There will also be emphasis on fostering co-operation with other countries. Full use will be made of existing mechanisms such as the European Mediterranean Partnership, the Transatlantic Agenda, the Northern Dimension and the Task Force on Communicable Diseases Control in the Baltic Sea RegionInternational organisations Existing co-operation with International organisations, in particular the World Health Organisation (WHO), the Council of Europe and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) will be strengthened in the course of implementing the programme.Enlargement The accession of Bulgaria and Romania on 1 January 2007 completed the fifth enlargement, following the accession of ten Member States in May 2004. More than 100 million new citizens will help drive the European economy forward. Enlargement has brought higher standards of democracy and rule of law in Europe. It strengthened the security of all EU citizens and increased prosperity in the Union and leads the way to establishing a global public health policy.