Brussels, 27/06/2001 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday, the European Commission decided to create a "European advisory committee on research". This independent high-level body will have as mission to advise the Commission on the development and implementation of the Community research policy in the context of the creation of the European Research Area. It will be able to provide opinions and advice, on its own initiative or on the request by the Commission. An average of three annual meetings is planned. The organisation of the meetings will be the Commission's responsibility, with a provisional budget of EUR 600,000 per year. The members of the Committee, whose mandate is for three years renewable once, will not be remunerated. The committee is formed of 45 members: 20 representatives from the scientific community selected on proposal from the European Science Foundation; 20 representatives from industry selected on proposals from UNICE; 5 members chosen by the Commission.