Brussels, 29/10/2001 (Agence Europe) - The objective set by the Belgian Presidency for the EU's Research Council in Luxembourg of 30 October is to rise about the existing differences between Member States on the 6th EU Research Framework Programme (FP6) and the 6th EURATOM Programme so that the 10 December Research Council can reach agreement on principle on the two issues. Based on the work carried out since the 26 June Research Council, the Presidency has redrafted the texts of the two Framework Programmes to reflect the potential compromise options for the points still being negotiated. These texts may be further changed to reflect the opinion the European Parliament will publish in mid-November (see EUROPE of 25 October, p.15).
The Council will try to eliminate the major sticking points, namely: 1) the thematic priorities in the domains of genomics and biotechnologies for health (first priority), sustainable development (sixth priority) and the eighth priority (anticipating the EU's scientific and technological requirements (see EUROPE of 17 October, p.12). In terms of genomics and biotechnologies, Member States such as Germany and Finland feel the priority focuses too much on human health. In terms of sustainable development, countries like Denmark are calling for it to be better accounted for. Member States are divided on whether to keep the 8th priority. 2) the structure for implementing the programme, particularly the number and scope of the specific programmes. Divisions remain between those who want to avoid scattering strength by multiplying priorities within each thematic priority and those who want additional "sub-priorities". 3) the nature, scope of application and modalities of the new instruments for implementing FP6 (networks of excellence and integrated projects). All Member States want the current instruments to be kept (calls for proposals) alongside the introduction of networks of excellence and integrated projects, but in varying proportions. 4) In the EURATOM programme, activities in terms of radiation protection and the breakdown of the budget for controlled nuclear fusion, where Member States such as France want to see a bigger budget for fusion than proposed by the Commission.
Over dinner, Ministers will discuss the overall budget and how it is broken down between FP6 activities and the EURATOM programme. The Belgian Presidency wants to achieve agreement in principle on an overall budget of EUR 17.5 billion (the Commission is proposing EUR 16.27 billion for FP6 and EUR 1.23 billion for EURATOM) and specific guidelines for allocating these sums to the different themes and specific actions. Some Member States feel that decisions on how this breakdown should occur should depend on outlining their content in advance.
The Council will assess some connected issues and hear a Commission presentation of its communication on the rules governing the participation of companies, research centres and universities in the FP6 and how research results are to be published. This proposal aims to clarify provisions concerning the instruments for implementing research activities and will be an important part of the discussions on Tuesday. The Council will exchange views on the Commission's communication on the application of Treaty Article 169 as an instrument for implementing the research activities of FP6 alongside the networks of excellence and the integrated projects. The Commission will present its 3 October Communication on the role that the regions could play in setting up a European Research, Technology and Innovation Area. The Commission will present its 23 October communication on the objectives, priorities and implementation of the first phase (2001-2003) of its action plan for Global Monitoring for Environment and Security (GMES) and hopes the Council will agree in principle on the GMES. In response to a request made in November 2000 by the French Presidency, the Commission will also inform the Council of progress in research and co-ordination in testing treatment for AIDS.