Brussels, 14/03/2001 (Agence Europe) - In the framework of the preparation for the Stockholm European Summit, the European Commission favourably welcomed an information memorandum that paves the way for the adoption, before the end of the year, of a strategic Communication on biotechnology. The strategy that will be examined in the autumn will be based on an analysis of the economic and social impact of life sciences and biotechnology until 2010. It should cover various aspects: - a regulatory framework to protect health and the environment; - recommendations concerning research in support of European policies and industries, education and the supply of a skilled manpower, intellectual property rights; - support innovation and industrial competitiveness; - the public perception and good governance (notably issues linked to ethics and food safety); - Community policy in the context of multilateral cooperation and "globalisation".