Common position on adjustment of Fourth Framework Programme following accession of the new Member States
The Council of the European Union has published its common position with a view the adoption of a European Parliament and Council Decision adapting Decision No 1110/94 concerning the Community's Fourth Framework Programme for research and technological development (1994-1998). The new Decision has been proposed in light of the accession to the European Union of Austria, Finland and Sweden. The Council's common position proposes to increase the Community's financial participation in the Fourth Framework Programme from ECU 11,046 million to ECU 11,764 million, of which ECU 5,449 million is for the period 1994 to 1996 and ECU 6,315 million is for the period 1997 to 1998. The proposed distribution of this revised budget between the various sectors of the Fourth Framework Programme is as follows: - First activity (Research, technological development and demonstration programmes): ECU 10,045 million; - Second activity (Cooperation with third countries and international organizations): ECU 575 million; - Third activity (Dissemination and optimization of results): ECU 352 million; - Fourth activity (Stimulation of the training and mobility of researchers): ECU 792 million. The overall increase in funding for the Fourth Framework Programme introduced by this Decision amounts to 6.5%. This figure is the global percentage derived from applying a 6.87% increase to research activities, and an average increase of a maximum of 4% to the related staff and administration costs. The figure of 6.87% corresponds exactly to the contribution of the three new Member States, to the Fourth Framework Programme, in 1994. The common position thus guarantees the continuity of the global RTD effort in the enlarged Union, whilst respecting the existing overall budgetary restrictions. The different ratio applied to research activities and to staff and administrative costs reflects the commitment made by the Commission to ensure continued efficient management of Community RTD activities whilst keeping staff and administrative costs to a minimum. In presenting this common position, the Council and the Commission made a joint statement to the effect that the present adaptation of the budget for the Fourth Framework Programme does not prejudge in any way the possible allocation of a financial supplement to the programme which should be dealt with as a separate issue. The proposed Decision will now be once again examined by the European Parliament before final adoption later this year.