Research Council to discuss FP6 programmes and rules
The final shape of the Sixth Framework programme for research (FP6), greater cooperation between the European Commission and the European space agency (ESA), nuclear fusion and a new biotechnology strategy for Europe will be under discussion at the EU Research Council of 11 March. Research ministers from the EU's 15 Member States will meet under the presidency of Anna Birulés, Spanish Minister for science and technology. One of the main agenda points will be the 'rules of participation' under which scientists and organisations can participate in FP6. Following a first reading in the European Parliament, the Commission adopted modified proposals on the rules of participation on 10 January 2002. The rules are eventually adopted using the co-decision procedure, under which the Council and the Parliament come to a joint decision on the Commission's proposals. The Parliament has named German MEP Godelieve Quisthoudt-Rowohl as its rapporteur. The Commission has proposed that participants from associated candidate countries have the same rights and obligations under the rules of participation as Member State participants. Ministers will also debate the five specific programmes for implementation of FP6: integrating and strengthening the European research area, structuring the European research area, research in the nuclear field, and two Joint Research Centre programmes covering nuclear activities and other research areas such as food safety, the environment and data protection. The budget proposed for FP6 for the four years during which it will run (2002 to 2006) is 17.5 billion euro, a 17 per cent increase from the current Framework programme, FP5. A political agreement on FP6 was reached at the last Research Council of 10 December 2001, and the Council adopted its common position on 28 January this year. In addition, the Commission will present its proposal for a framework agreement to enhance cooperation between the Commission and ESA. In November 2000, the EU and ESA Councils adopted complementary resolutions endorsing a European strategy for space (ESS) jointly developed by the Commission and the ESA Executive. A joint task force was subsequently created to oversee the implementation of the strategy and to propose a permanent joint cooperative structure between ESA and the European Union. The task force's recommendations include moves to incorporate space policy into the overall EU policy framework, draw up a strategy for deeper cooperation with Russia and increase candidate country involvement, and negotiate a framework agreement between ESA and the EU to allow the agency to implement projects such as the GMES satellite system for global monitoring of the environment and security. The document drawn up by the task force was adopted with recommendations by the Commission on 7 December 2001. The Commission will also present to the Council a proposal it adopted on 27 February 2002; aiming to conclude an agreement on the construction of a thermonuclear fusion reactor. The interested parties are currently the European Union, Canada, Japan, Russia and Kazakhstan. The Commission says that the USA, who had withdrawn from the project, 'is currently reconsidering its position.' A budget of 750 million euro is foreseen for nuclear fusion activities under FP6. A strategic plan for life sciences and biotechnology in Europe, launched on 23 January, will be presented by the Commission at the Research Council and at the Spring Summit in Barcelona in March. The document sets out a comprehensive plan for the development of life sciences and biotechnology in Europe in order to boost the EU's progress towards a knowledge-based society. A statement will also be made at the Council on the current state of progress of a group of experts set up to examine the state of research into bioterrorism and civil protection issues. Civil protection, especially the issue of bio-response, was added to a list of European research subjects to be dealt with under the priority of anticipation of emerging needs following the 11 September terrorist attacks in the USA.