Valencia, 05/06/2002 (Agence Europe) - The day after the formal adoption of the Sixth Community Research and Development Framework Programme (RDFP) opened in Valencia in Spain, a conference on the theme of "Surface Transport for Sustainable Development" (till 6 June) began. The European Commission hopes that this meeting will provide the opportunity for industrial leaders, researchers and politicians to tackle together the technological challenges faced on the railways, roads and sea.
Commissioner Busquin used the occasion to stress the need for suitability of use, more innovation and competition in the transport sector, as well as respect for the environment. He asserted that Europe had to develop a sustainable transport system and emphasised the need for "better co-ordination, from system conceptualisation, between those who provide the technology and those who use it". The Commissioner explained that this could be done through setting up strategic stations focusing on key technologies for sustainable transport with the aim of creating real synergies. Mr Busquin warmly welcomed the Strategic Research Agenda for the Railways in Europe, the first collaborative document created by actors from the rail sector and which will be presented by the European Rail Research Advisory Council (ERRAC) in Valencia. He pointed out, however, that this was "too ambitious in terms of means". The Commissioner insisted that the amount of funding for the RDFP meant transport would receive 20% of the total EUR 17.5 billion for funding. EUR 610 million for surface transport would involve adding part of the funds that had been allotted to the Information and Communication Society (EUR 3.6 billion) for intelligent development mechanism, as well as for aeronautical research activities (EUR 1.75 million) or energy research. Mr Busquin informed EUROPE that he did not see "any major obstacle" to a convergence of view points within the trilogy and therefore a possible adoption of the participation rules at the first reading (the two reports by Ms Quisthoudt-Rowohl at the EP are examining them) and the five specific programmes (on which the EP is not consulted). According to Mr Busquin there is practically nothing but the number of participants and the funding for the networks of excellence that remain the object of further discussion. He pointed out that the Commission wanted a document that was far more simplified than those in the past.
Anna Birulés, Spanish Minister for Science and Technology, praised the dynamism of the region of Valencia which provided an example of industrial convergence for SMEs, the quality of life and sustainable development, "two objectives that go together", she explained. She also welcomed the efforts made by the European transport industry. Eduardo Zaplana Hernandez Soro, President of the "Generalitat Valenciana" (Autonomous Region of Valencia) and Vice President of the Committee of the Regions, hoped that the Commission communication on the regional dimension in research was developed. He explained that he was worried by the fact that the implementation of the networks of excellence…had intensified the spending differences that already existed between the regions.
European transport leaders discussed research and new technology objectives up to the year 2020 and expressed a wish for stronger co-operation between all the actors in the sector and the need to establish a common vision. Jorge Cosmen, President of Alsa-Enatcar appealed for innovation in the road passenger transport sector. Corrado Antonini, Executive President of Fincantieri, emphasised the importance of inter-modality and inter-operability for maritime transport. Hans Habermann, from the Siemens group and representative of the Union of European Railway Industries (UNIFE) echoed Mr Antonini's sentiments on the perspective of an enlarged Europe. Xavier Fels, Vice President of the PSA Peugeot Citröen group spoke of the challenges of environmental protection, mobility, safety and sustainable development, which the sector had to meet.
The main subjects of the conference focus on 6 main points: sustainable road transport; - efficiency and inter-operability in the railway sector; competitive maritime transport; inter-modal transport systems; collaboration in the European Research Area (ERA); complementarity between national and ERA initiatives.