The EU Council of Ministers adopted without debate on Monday 15 October the Regulation on the Research and Training Programme of the European Atomic Energy Community (2019-2020). The financial envelope for the implementation of the 2019-2020 programme amounts to € 770.22 million, of which € 151.5 million for indirect actions concerning nuclear fission, safety and radiation protection.
Austria and Luxembourg abstained from voting on this text, which had been the subject of a general orientation by the Council at the end of May 2018. The European Parliament delivered its opinion on 11 September 2018.
In a statement, Austria says it is "very critical" about EU funding for nuclear power plants. This programme does not begin a reorientation towards renewable energies, regrets Luxembourg, which is equally critical of nuclear research.
In order to ensure the continuity of nuclear research at Community level, it is necessary to establish the research and training programme for the period from 1 January 2019 to 31 December 2020. It has the same target objectives as the 2014-2018 programme.
Nuclear research remains an important tool for addressing issues related to nuclear safety, security and safeguards, radioactive waste management, radiation protection and fusion energy, the Regulation stipulates. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)