Brussels, 20/09/2002 (Agence Europe) - Despite great efforts, the Danish Presidency is still having difficulty in finding a solution to resolve the still latent conflict between the Council and European Parliament following the compromise reached between Member states on specific research programmes and the ethical chapter of research into embryonic stem cells. Tuesday evening, the Danish Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Helge Sauder, was in Brussels, in the company of Commissioner Philippe Busquin, to meet the chair of the EP's Industry Committee, Carlos Westendorp, the Dutch Christian-Democrat, Wim Van Velzen, rapporteur on the first specific programme, and the German Social-Democrat Rolf Linkhor. The MEPs placed special emphasis on the need to involve Parliament in drawing up new ethical rules, whereas the procedure opted for by the Fifteen (in regulatory committee) totally discards the EP. Friday, this delicate issue was again raised behind closed doors by the Committee of Permanent Representatives. The meeting, however, did not lead to any real developments and the Danish Presidency could continue contacts with Member States by the next meeting with the representatives of Parliament, scheduled for Tuesday morning in Strasbourg.