However, Figel' said that not many people understand the specific nature of sport, warning that it "does not equal to exclusion of sport from the laws of the EU, and is not a bloc exemption."
Sport's specific nature "means that sport is not business as usual," he said, continuing: "There are specific features, characteristics we have to know and deal with and care for," he continued.
But he said there are "limits defined by EU law and fundamental freedoms," he said. Citing the EU's strict rules on personal data transfer to third countries as an example, he said these needed to be respected regarding anti-doping data as well.
Earlier this year, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) standard on personal data protection, in use since 1 January this year, was found to be in breach of the EU's Data Protection Directive from 1995. But in early May, WADA amended its standard to take EU concerns into account.
Asked how the EU was planning to deal with the specific nature of sport, Figel' explained that the Commission had agreed, together with the International Olympic Committee and the major international sports bodies, on the principle of "theme-by-theme discussions".
Such discussions will vary according to the subject matter, as Figel' said "we cannot treat sport in one large bloc or box". Topics to be addressed include "anti-doping, mobility and nationality, dual training, volunteering, professional-amateur sport relations and funding," he said.
After a special Year of Education through Sport in 2004 and the 2007 White Paper on Sport, the Commission will shortly launch a €6 million call for proposals for preparatory action in the field of sport.
The preparatory measures meant to lay the ground for the upcoming EU sports programme that will be developed if and when the Lisbon Treaty enters into force.
Asked about the scope of the future programme, Figel' said it was difficult to say now, but he did speak about "tens of millions of euros per year".
Asked what the Lisbon Treaty would change, Figel' stressed that as well as introducing a permanent EU sports programme and a continuous budget for sport, the major change would be "qualitative". Current knowledge transfer, network forming, best-practice exchange and coordination in the area of sport is "either informal or very limited," or done through small pilot projects, while the EU has informal ministerial meetings only, Figel' explained. The new treaty would bring about a Sports Ministerial Council, "which is very important for some decision-making," he added.
Figel' also said Europe needs "a sort of Erasmus in the area of sport to show and share how sport can help in professional development, in better education, dual training and the promotion of volunteering".
Erasmus is an EU student exchange programme for higher education.
