Parliament supports EU budget increase
With a two-thirds majority, MEPs have voted in support of the Reimer Böge report on the EU's budget for 2007-2013, meaning that the proposed doubling of the EU's research budget remains on the table. The Parliament has suggested minor changes to the Commission proposal - overall expenditure would amount to 1.18 per cent of the EU's GNI (gross national income) in commitments (975 billion euro over seven years), rather than 1.21 per cent as proposed by the Commission. MEPs increased the emphasis on some areas, including citizenship, security, justice and external relations, and slightly reduced the funds available for competitiveness and growth - one of the Commission's main priorities. Exact figures for research have not yet been discussed, but this comes under the general heading of 'Competitiveness' along with trans-European networks, education and training, social policy, convergence and cross-border cooperation. According to the Commission's proposal research would receive around half of the funds from this envelope, but a reduction in the money available may mean a restructuring of the budget under the competitiveness heading. The vote has been welcomed by the Parliament's political groups and the Commission alike. 'There is a broad convergence with the Commission's assessment of policy needs, although we do not agree on every detail. I hope Member States can follow this example, and match resources to requirements, rather than impose arbitrary limits,' said Commission President Manuel Barroso. 'The European Parliament seems to understand the Commission's position more than the Council does,' said a spokesperson for Science and Research Commissioner Janez Potocnik. If the Council endorses a proposal from the Luxembourg Presidency, the proposed competitiveness figure will be cut by 40 per cent. Finnish MEP Kyösti Virrankoski from the ALDE group referred to budgetary cuts discussed by the European Council and their likely impact on research and development (R&D). 'To economise on the research budget is to economise on our future,' he said. The Parliament's position will be put to the European Council when it next meets on 16 and 17 June.