No decision on research at Competitiveness Council
At a special research session of the Competitiveness Council, which took place in Luxembourg on 7 June, the Luxembourg presidency held an orientation debate on the Commission's proposal on the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7), focusing particularly on collaborative research and human resources, but failed to secure a common position. The Presidency, represented by the Luxembourg Minister for Culture, Higher Education and Research, François Biltgen, called on national ministers to 'provide useful and concrete orientations' in order that a revised text may be drafted, based on the technical examination of the scientific content of the thematic priorities, which can serve as a basis for the future UK Presidency. The Ministers were asked to focus on the six priority issues of the framework programme, namely: whether or not to maintain security and space in a single theme; the conditions under which the 'traditional' actions, and in particular collaborative research projects, will have to be complemented by the joint technological initiatives suggested by the Commission; the rules to secure a high participation of SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises) in the framework programme; technological transfer and dissemination of research results; human resources and the management, implementation and running of the Seventh Framework Programme. Asked about the financing of FP7, the Luxembourg Presidency expressed the wish that the Council continue to work without waiting for the end of the discussions on the financial perspectives. François Biltgen, noted that 'if the compromise currently supported by the Luxembourg Presidency on the financial perspective is accepted, there will be a rise of between 31 and 55 per cent of the funds allocated to research compared to the Sixth Framework Programme (FP6).' 'Whatever happens there will be increased financial means for EU research,' he concluded. The Member State contributions will be used for future discussion on the programme, and each national delegation is encouraged to continue its examination of the Commission's proposal, in accordance with the co-decision procedure with the European Parliament. Although it is hoped that an agreement will be reached during next week's European Council, insiders remain doubtful.
Countries
Luxembourg