EU constitution weak on research, says French professor
It is legitimate to want to develop science at European level, and developing professional links between researchers is a commendable objective. However, according to Jean-Pierre Kahane, mathematician and member of the Academy of Science of the Institute of France, this should not conceal the necessity of each Member State continuing to make an effort. In an interview with French newspaper L'Humanité, Professor Kahane explained that, in his opinion, the new European constitution fails to display any scientific ambition. 'The European Research Area is constantly considered in relation to economic competitiveness,' says Professor Kahane. 'Article III-248 aims to 'realise a European Research Area in which researchers, scientific knowledge and technologies circulate freely to support the development of its competitiveness', yet the experience of the EU is one of crushing bureaucracy and absence of a true direction for research,' he laments. According to the professor, the European scientific area has existed since the 16th century, and has been very active. Recent remarkable European scientific achievements have been attained, such as CERN, the European Centre for nuclear research, and the European Space Agency (ESA). CERN, for example, was created independently of the EU and is growing thanks to agreements between Member States. It owes its success to the fact that it does not require patents and all its scientific and technical results are public, Professor Kahane told L'Humanité. Speaking on the subject of the Member States' need to increase spending in research and development (R&D), Professor Kahane explained that Europe 'can only cooperate if it produces results'. After that there must be consideration of cooperation with all countries, in order to rebalance scientific production, he added. Professor Kahane regrets that the constitution gives research the role of providing the scientific basis for economic competitiveness. 'If one places competitiveness in the foreground, this kills research. One starts by working together and it is within this common work that competitiveness grows,' believes Professor Kahane. Turning to the subject of Article III-255, which allows for the Commission to present an annual report on research, technological developments and the transfer of results to the European Parliament and the European Council, Professor Kahane said that he does not believe this would be enough to give direction to research. 'The Commission will present a report with a ladle. However, in terms of research, it is necessary to examine things in detail, which is impossible with international global evaluations. This requires the inspection of teams and laboratories, yet these reports will only evaluate finalised activities that will have answer determined objectives,' said Professor Kahane. Professor Kahane did, however, approve of the link, established in the constitution, between public and private research, and suggested providing incentives to ensure that industry carries out research activities, hires young researchers and creates links with universities. 'However, this is written nowhere in the treaty. [...]. No assessment has ever been done of this type of contract, which brings money to the companies, but not to research. At the end of the day, the constitution does not provide any corrections and does not demonstrate any scientific ambition,' he concluded
Countries
France