Brussels, 21/06/2013 (Agence Europe) - An interinstitutional agreement on the next framework programme for research and innovation (“Horizon 2020”) may be reached on Tuesday 25 June. Talks between the Council of the EU and the European Parliament will henceforth be on a comprehensive package. The Irish Presidency of the Couoncil of Ministers hopes to close the dossier by the end of its mandate, on 30 June, although several points still require energetic discussion. The Council still categorically refuses the “real cost” option although this is one of the main demands of the Parliament, and considerable flexibility is needed on other questions in order to facilitate a final compromise.
The latest trialogue, on 17 June, ended with progress made but also with subjects that had to be deferred until the following meeting on Tuesday 25 June. The gap between the different stances was considerably closed concerning the breakdown (in percentage) of the budgetary envelopes of the three pillars, although opinions still differ over the shares that should be granted for certain categories within those pillars, such as for SMEs, transport and health.
The Council amended its initial position and an instrument specifically dedicated to SMEs, with its own budget, will be created as the Parliament requests. Another concession by the member states was envisaged consisting of partially reviewing the architecture of the framework programme, with the introduction of a horizontal action pillar.
At the same time, the agreement is likely to provide for pro rata reduction of the overall Horizon 2020 budget, as probably decided after the talks on the future multiannual financial programme. This is a reduction that could be around 12%, thus establishing the budget at nearly €70 billion. The impact on the budget of EURATOM is tackled separately. Negotiations continue also on the subject of the Institute of Technology and Innovation.
Adjustments for this pro rata reduction are nonetheless envisaged without, however, questioning the launch of six new knowledge and innovation communities (KICs). This would concern widened participation, the Marie Sklodowska Curie programme, the likely creation of a new line of activity for maritime research and the inclusion of the new project proposed by the Parliament, the “Fast Track to Innovation”, as the Council is today inclined to endorse it. (JK/transl.jl)