UK Presidency targets agreement on Fifth Framework Programme
Just a week before the EU's Research Ministers meet for crucial discussions on the Fifth RTD Framework Programme, the President-in-Office of the Research Council, John Battle, UK Minister for Science, Energy and Industry, addressed the European Parliament's Committee on Research, Technological Development and Energy. The 12 February Research Council was clearly uppermost in the minds of both Mr. Battle and MEPs as he presented the UK Presidency's priorities to the Committee, on 3 February 1998 in Brussels. In a well-received address, Minister Battle emphasized "the broad measure of agreement between the Council, Commission and Parliament on an overall strategy for a new Framework Programme." Both Council and Parliament, he said, have confirmed the overall direction of the Programme's scientific and technological content, as well as accepting the need for greater concentration and focusing. Furthermore, both have welcomed the targeting on specific and identifiable needs brought out in the Commission's proposals for Key actions. However, he acknowledged that many differences remain between the three institutions, some of them substantial. Mr. Battle congratulated the Committee on its work on the first reading of the proposal, which had been delivered before the end of 1997. The Council's working groups have already completed an examination of Parliament's amendments, he said, and "it has been possible to incorporate a significant number of (Parliament's) proposals." Indeed, he noted that, in respect of the Programme's structure, the Council's position was closer to the Parliament's than to the Commission's amended proposal of January 1998. The Minister looked forward to "a continuing and constructive dialogue with the Parliament in the (remaining) stages of the legislative process". Thanking the Luxembourgish and Dutch Presidencies for their preparatory work, Mr. Battle stated that the UK Presidency would make every effort to push forward the negotiations so that the Programme could be introduced on schedule, allowing a smooth transition from the Fourth Framework Programme. Achieving a common position at the Research Council on 12 February "will present great challenges, but I am confident that the Council will rise to them," he said. The main issues still to be resolved are the budget, the structure and the Programme's management, according to Mr. Battle. As regards the budget, which is the most difficult question to be resolved, Ministers need to reach a compromise between views which are still widely diverging, although no Member State wants to see the Programme inadequately funded. Also the possibility of establishing a budget for the full Programme before the EU's overall financial perspectives for the full period have been established has been questioned. This point could, he hoped, be solved on the basis of the Parliament's amendments which sought to address the problem. Major issues still to be settled in respect of the Programme's structure include the role of land transport research, marine research and socio-economic research. Broad agreement has been reached on the need to address global change and ageing. Overall, according to the Minister, the Council is in broad agreement with Parliament's views on the need to give greater prominence to research on energy and environment, although it has not yet settled the best way of doing this. On management, the Council wishes to ensure that the Fifth Framework Programme offers "improvements in efficiency, effectiveness and customer-friendliness" as compared to the Fourth Framework Programme. Also at the February Council, Ministers will discuss the Euratom Framework Programme, and hold a first exchange of views on the Commission's proposals on the rules governing participation in the Fifth Framework Programme and the dissemination of research results. The Commission is due to present its working document on the specific programmes within the Framework Programme, allowing Ministers their first chance to discuss the Programme's content in greater detail. These discussions will be continued at the June Research Council, by which time further Commission proposals should be on the table. Minister Battle concluded by looking forward to continuing interactions with the Parliament on these issues. During the debate following his address, Mr. Battle stated that the aim of the Framework Programme would be to keep the EU at the cutting edge of technology. It is also, however, essential to ensure that the results of research are used, he continued.
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