The Commission may consult ESRAB on any questions relating to the content and implementation of the European Security Research Programme (ESRP), to be effected through the EC framework programme for research.

ESRAB shall carry out its work in full knowledge of the European policy context, in particular of the research activities carried out at the national level and in support of European research policy initiatives.

More specifically, but not exclusively, ESRAB shall make recommendations to the Commission in the following areas:

1. (a)

   the strategic missions, focus areas and priorities setting for ESRP, on the basis of the report ‘Research for a Secure Europe’ of the Group of Personalities while taking into account the establishment of the European Defence Agency as well as national and inter-governmental activities;

2. (b)

   the technological capabilities to be put in place among the European stakeholders; it shall recommend a strategy to improve the European industry's technological base, so as to improve its competitivity;

3. (c)
   the strategic and operational aspects of the ESRP taking into account the experience and results obtained from the Preparatory Action on the enhancement of the European industrial potential in the field of security research3, from Commission services with an active interest in the field of security including research covered by the EC framework programme for research and from other expert or advisory groups;
4. (d)

   the implementation issues such as the exchange of classified information and intellectual property rights;

5. (e)

   optimising the use of publicly owned research and evaluation infrastructures in ESRP;

6. (f)

   a communications strategy to promote awareness of the ESRP as well as for providing information on stakeholders' research programmes.

The Chairpersons of either ESRAB group, as defined in Article 4(1), may indicate to the Commission that it is desirable to consult the ESRAB on other questions.