The satisfaction and relief expressed on Tuesday by representatives of the EU Council and the European Commission after reaching a political agreement in principle on the new Horizon Europe framework programme (see EUROPE 12570/1) gave way to disappointment and dissatisfaction on the European Parliament side on Wednesday 30 September.
In the view of MEPs Dan Nica (S&D, Romania) and Christian Ehler (EPP, Germany) – rapporteurs on the regulation establishing Horizon Europe and the EU Council decision on the specific programme implementing Horizon Europe respectively – this agreement remains too unambitious.
Both mainly criticise the ministers for having accommodated themselves to a budget that is too low for research and innovation (R&I): the one agreed by the European leaders last July (see EUROPE 12533/12).
This budget amounts to €80.9 billion in 2018 prices, far behind the €94 billion initially suggested by the European Commission and the €120 billion unflaggingly demanded by the Parliament (see EUROPE 12566/11) and the associations (see EUROPE 12331/13).
“Yet again, research ministers capitulate without resistance to the Heads of States’ disastrous lack of ambition on research and innovation”, Christian Ehler regretted.
“What the Council is proposing means 22,500 fewer researchers supported, the loss of 400 patents representing 110 inventions, the loss of 5,500 testing activities and 220 clinical trials”, Mr Nica said, adding that the figures are “disappointing”.
Sector of the future
The two MEPs stressed the importance of research and innovation (R&I) at a time when the EU’s priorities include developing a vaccine against Covid-19 and improving health systems, economic recovery, decarbonising its industry and asserting its digital sovereignty. Ministers “backed the decision not to invest in the future”, summarised Mr Nica.
“We rely on R&I to become resilient for future crisis and to address challenges such as cancer and antimicrobial-resistance, but also to adapt to our globalised, fight climate change and to prepare a better and greener future for next generations”, summed up the Chairman of the European Parliament’s Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE), Cristian Bușoi (EPP, Romania), also calling for a more ambitious budget.
The EU spends on average 2% of its GDP on R&I; China and the US at least 3%, Mr Ehler also recalled. The text currently on the table only “cements Europe’s falling behind its competitors”, he believes.
Given the “disastrous consequences” this would have on innovation and growth, he assured that Parliament was not prepared to compromise. (Original version in French by Agathe Cherki)