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Dutch Presidency research priorities

Mr. Hans Wijers, Dutch Minister for Economic Affairs and current President-in-Office of the Research and Energy Councils, presented the priorities of the Dutch Presidency in these two areas, in Brussels, on 6 February 1997. Mr. Wijers was addressing the European Parliament's C...

Mr. Hans Wijers, Dutch Minister for Economic Affairs and current President-in-Office of the Research and Energy Councils, presented the priorities of the Dutch Presidency in these two areas, in Brussels, on 6 February 1997. Mr. Wijers was addressing the European Parliament's Committee on Research, Technological Development and Energy, as is the custom for the incoming Council President. The Minister began by emphasizing that the overall aim of policy in both the research and energy fields is to serve the citizens of Europe better, by improving efficiency and achieving economies of scale through globalization and better coordination and cooperation between Member States. On research policy, Mr. Wijers noted the success of the Irish Presidency in steering the Council to a common position on the financial supplement to the Fourth Framework Programme. Acknowledging the delay in reaching the common position, due to the difficulties of reaching an agreement in the Council, he expressed his hope that the Parliament would be able to complete its second reading shortly. The December Research Council also adopted conclusions on issues such as SMEs, the Joint Research Centre (JRC), and research into drug abuse, and these would be a major input into the Fifth Framework Programme. Turning to the Fifth Framework Programme, Minister Wijers noted that this would be discussed at the Research Council on 15 May, by which point the Commission's formal proposal should have been published. The Davignon evaluation of the Framework Programmes' implementation during the past five years would also be available and will constitute an important element for the debate. Mr. Wijers noted that the discussions would be difficult, if only because the Programme would operate against a backdrop of crucial events for the European Union, including economic and monetary union (EMU), the establishment of new financial perspectives for the EU and negotiations for enlargement. For that reason, the Fifth Framework Programme must allow for greater flexibility. The Commission has already taken two major steps, proposing a focus on fewer research themes, and simplifying procedures and access, in particular for SMEs. The Presidency supports these initiatives, and will also call for strengthening of European public research infrastructure, by improving coordination and cooperation between national and European institutes. In addition, the Presidency aims to improve links between the Framework Programme and EUREKA. The Research Council in May 1997 will also devote attention to cooperation with third countries in the research field. Ministers from Member States will meet with their counterparts from the Central and Eastern European countries, to discuss their views on the Fifth Framework Programme. These will be of particular interest to the Council since a number of these countries are likely to be preparing for accession to the EU, and therefore participation in research programmes, during the Fifth Framework Programme's operation. The Council will also discuss research cooperation with other countries, including the USA, Mediterranean countries and developing countries. The aim in this area is to establish appropriate conditions for increased cooperation, with importance also attached to reciprocity. Concluding his remarks on research, Mr. Wijers hoped that the Council and the Parliament, with codecision powers in the area of research, would be able to take, together, a positive decision on the Fifth Framework Programme in early 1998. Mr. Wijers then turned to energy, the second area of the Committee's remit. The Presidency's priorities would be reaching a common position on the draft Directive on the internal market in gas, and the EU's strategy for renewable energy. The discussions on the gas market had now reached a stage where agreement was in sight, given a final push from the Presidency, he said. On renewable energy, the Presidency would aim to give directions to the Union's strategy, and an important element in this would be input from the Parliament. Other areas of importance for the Presidency in the energy sector include the promotion of instruments for encouraging energy conservation which have worked well in The Netherlands (including long-term agreements in industry sectors), and of voluntary agreements. The Netherlands Presidency will also be preparing for the Kyoto conference of the parties to the global Climate Treaty, to be held in December, and the Energy Council would have an important input to the Union's position. Mr. Wijers confirmed that international cooperation would also be discussed by the Council. In particular, the Council is awaiting the proposal for a Framework Programme for energy, touching on all areas of energy policy, which the Commission has promised to put forward during 1997. This proposed Framework arose out of the negotiations on the SAVE II and SYNERGY programmes and will allow much greater coordination and efficiency in the Union's energy programmes and support initiatives. The Minister concluded his address by expressing his hopes for good cooperation with the Committee during the six months of his Presidency and for progress on the major issues of: the Fifth Framework Programme for RTD, the Gas Directive and the preparations for the Kyoto conference.

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