The interinstitutional negotiations (trilogue) on the regulation establishing Horizon Europe, the EU’s 2021-2027 framework programme for research and innovation, began on Tuesday 6 October, as the German EU Council Presidency had hoped (see EUROPE 12570/1).
The co-legislators have only a few weeks left to reach an agreement and allow the programme to start on time, on 1 January, 2021.
In particular, discussions risk being stalled over the issue of the funds allocated to the programme. For even if the Member States have come to terms with the budget cuts agreed by EU leaders last July (see EUROPE 12533/12), MEPs expect the EU to make investments in this sector a priority, which they consider crucial for the future (see EUROPE 12572/18).
They are calling for Horizon Europe to be allocated €120 billion. On the EU Council side, on the other hand, the bar has been set at €80.9 billion.
During this first trilogue, MEPs therefore expressed their disappointment at the lack of ambition of European governments.
Christian Ehler (EPP, Germany), rapporteur on the EU Council decision for the specific programme implementing Horizon Europe, reiterated the importance of increasing the programme’s funding, which was necessary to implement Europe’s ambitions.
“We all know the only way forward, left to us, if we want to overcome the Covid crisis, boost our digital transition and retain a fighting chance to reach the ambitious climate targets. This way forward is none other than giving a massive boost to research and innovation”, he told EUROPE.
The distribution of the budget will therefore be discussed in more detail at the next trilogue, which should take place at the end of October or early November. (Original version in French by Agathe Cherki)