Strasbourg, 15/05/2002 (Agence Europe) - For the first time, the European Parliament and the Council will succeed in adopting a framework research and development programme (FRDP), without having to pass by a conciliation procedure. After one and a half years of negotiations between the political groups within the Parliament, but also intensively between the three institutions, the 6th FRDP is nearly finalised. Only a few details on implementation must be resolved, with the adopting of specific programmes and rules governing participation, though nothing seems to now block the application of the framework-programme on 1 January 2003. Following the recommendation of its rapporteur Gerard Caudron (ESP, French), from Commissioner Philippe Busquin and the Council President, Ramon Marimon, the Parliament approved 34 compromise amendments negotiated with the Council. It rejected the amendments put forward notably by the members of the EPP-ED and UEN groups in view of strengthening the ethical framework for research on living organisms. The 6th FRDP could thus be formally adopted by the Council during an up-coming meeting. For a total value of EUR 17.5 billion, including the Euratom section, the 6th FRDP constitutes the third largest European policy. (For details of the final budget of the EEC section, see yesterday's Europe, p.12).
European Parliament Plenary Session (continued)