Brussels, 31/05/2012 (Agence Europe) - The Council of the EU agreed a first draft on Thursday 31 May of the general structure of the framework programme for research and innovation for the period from 2014 to 2020 (Horizon 2020). The agreement on a partial general approach paves the way for talks with the European Parliament. Then, once negotiations on the next multi-annual financial framework (2014-2020) have been concluded, member states' ministers with responsibility for research will be able to adopt a general approach, most probably endorsing the European Commission proposal of an €80 billion budget for Horizon 2020. Another sensitive issue still to be discussed relates to the rules of participation.
The draft compromise was reached as the great majority of the ministers meeting in Brussels felt that the proposal put by the Danish Presidency of the EU Council of Ministers was balanced. It takes account of several suggestions made by governments over the previous months, such as granting greater importance to human sciences and increasing the proportion of funding ring-fenced for small business (SMEs) from 15% to 20%. Nevertheless, the consensus could not hide the reservations expressed by several ministers on provisions on stem cell research. The differences in view point, expressed notably by Malta, Lithuania and Austria (Slovakia will form its view on this issue after a debate within its own parliament on 12 June), are neither new nor unexpected. For this reason, the triple-lock system, in the words of Research and Innovation Commissioner Maire Geoghegan-Quinn, will be applied in Horizon 2020, as it has been in the 7th framework programme (2007-2013). This system, which most ministers felt was perfectly appropriate since it preserves a certain neutrality, has three components: - respect for national legislation; - each project to be validated scientifically and ethically; - and a ban on the destruction of embryos.
Elsewhere, the Council adopted conclusions on European Innovation Partnerships (EIPs). Following two years of experimentation, “the concept is working well”, said Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth Commissioner Androulla Vassiliou at a press conference on Thursday 31 May. It is a concept which is destined to develop and extend to other areas after showing its worth in the areas of active and healthy ageing, agricultural productivity and raw materials. (JK/transl.rt)