Brussels, 09/05/2003 (Agence Europe) - The European employers association (UNICE) has given its full support to the action plan recently adopted by the European Commission to promote research in Europe (see EUROPE of 30 April, p.14). In a press release, UNICE:
1) supports the Commission aim to step up its research effort from 1.9% to 3% of GDP by 2010, in conformity with the goal set by the European Council of Barcelona in March 2002. More particularly, employers support actions aimed at setting in place a more attractive environment for industry, and encourages industry to invest in Research and Development (R&D) within the EU;
2) welcomes the new actions proposed at European level and in the Member States (which are, moreover, mostly the reflection of the main employer recommendations) and mainly those which are aimed at: - promoting more coherent development of R&D policies between Member States but also greater coherence between R&D policies and the other policies; - more targeted and increased public support for research and innovation; - improved range and effectiveness of financial and tax measures in favour of increasing private investment in R&D; - and a review of EU rules on State aid for R&D;
3) stresses that extension of the scope of category-specific exemptions with regards State aid is not only important for SMEs but is just as important for industry as a whole;
4) considers that the follow-up mechanism envisaged by the Commission (publication of a report each year before the European Spring Council) is essential for ensuring that the public authorities improve the general conditions of research and innovation in enterprise as well as the quality of support instruments deployed, and increase the volume of actions supporting R&D and innovation.