Council welcomes Commission's response to Court of Auditor's FP5 report
The Council of Ministers adopted a number of conclusions on the Court of Auditor's report on the Fifth Framework Programme (FP5) for research on 19 July, and at the same time called for further streamlining in future framework programmes. The conclusions follow a report from the Court of Auditors in November 2002 that pointed to the complexity of the rules applicable to the Fifth Framework Programme intervention mechanisms, as well as to shortcomings in the Commission's organisational, coordinating and management structures across five DGs, and insufficient human resources and support tools. The conclusions, adopted by the Agriculture and Fisheries Council, welcome the Commission's achievements in following up the points made by the Court of Auditors, in such areas as internal coordination and management instruments, ex-post control of projects, staffing and the use of information technology. The Council also noted that more work is necessary in order to further streamline both management and the procedures applied to project proposers in the Sixth Framework Programme (FP6) so as to boost participation, whilst at the same time avoiding unnecessary administrative burdens. The Council conclusions note that the choice of cost systems offered to the participants should take into account the various accounting approaches in the Member States and the RTD organisations concerned, so as to allow for the widest possible participation. Ministers also called on the Commission to 'reduce considerably' the average time in approving and funding projects, whilst ensuring the transparency of procedures. Ensuring that the Commission continues to bear in mind the Court of Auditors' recommendations, the Council also requested that the Commission report on its follow up activities before the end of 2004. The report should be based on quantitative indicators where possible, as well as the practical input of participants. The report should be presented before the Commission submits its proposals for FP7, which should also 'aim at simplifying the implementation process to make it more user friendly, in particular for small and medium sized enterprises and start-ups, and in compliance with the Financial Regulation.'