15/11/2005 (Agence Europe) - One of the ideas discussed at the informal summit at Hampton Court (27 October) on competitiveness in Europe given the challenge of globalisation was that of granting foreign non-European students undergoing advanced studies in EU universities a residence permit, which does not mean nationality or citizenship of the European country in which they reside, the Commission spokesperson said on Tuesday. This came as a reaction to the articles whereby Mr Barroso is said to have suggested attracting foreign students, mainly those from the third world, by automatically giving them the nationality of the European country in which they obtain a doctorate. Giving a residence permit to foreign students does not mean that they should not return to their countries of origin after their studies, the spokesman said, refuting the argument whereby such a measure would be in contradiction to the development policy followed by the Commission. Commissioners Jan Figel and Janez Potocnik were put in charge of following the dossier through, she said.