Brussels, 28/05/2013 (Agence Europe) - European ministers responsible for research will have another opportunity to discuss the next Horizon 2020 framework research programme. On Thursday 30 May they will meet in Brussels principally to provide a strong “political boost” to the Irish Presidency of the Council of the EU in its inter-institutional negotiations, prior to concluding the dossier possibly by the middle of June.
Negotiations between the Council and the European Parliament on the future research and innovation framework programme for 2014-2020 now really are on the home stretch. Since the beginning of May, the Irish presidency has been consolidating a compromise text and, after the ministerial meeting in Brussels, is expected to propose a comprehensive package. However, by then, several specific subjects still need to be discussed, such as budgetary lines and the architecture and lines of activity for Horizon 2020. Budget distribution between the three different specific objectives will be one of the key challenges in the negotiations over the next few weeks.
Other points on the ministers' agenda include the need to adopt conclusions on the “enhancement and targeting of the EU's international cooperation: a strategic approach” and the European Commission's communication on high-performance computing. A political debate will also take place on joint research project programming, which is the instrument for facilitating international cooperation in the European Research Area (ERA). Finally, ministers are due to update the mandate of the European Research Area Committee, whose role is to provide strategic recommendations to the Council. The name of this committee is also expected to be modified and will now be called the European Research and Innovation Area Committee. (JK/transl.fl)