Brussels, 16/10/2003 (Agence Europe) - During its meeting on 30 September, the delegation from the French National Assembly to the European Union, presided by Pierre Lequiller, adopted some conclusion on European research. The delegation considers that a "new and decisive boost" has to be given to European research policy and is seeking the implementation of an institutional framework that is stronger and based on competencies shared between the Union and Member States in research and aerospace.
The delegation recommends going beyond the current divisions and putting in place a global approach: that overcomes opposition from civilian and military researchers by way of rapidly implementing a Union wide defence research programme that could be set up in the future by a European Weapons Agency and the preparation of a wide scale initiative focusing on security; development of public funding for industrial research; expansion of European research programmes for both fundamental and innovative research; underpinning of research effort through definition of a genuine industrial strategy; ensuring renewal and quality of human resources in research by way of a European researcher status and notably, for researcher teacher, through measures to promote European research through researchers from third countries and the re-evaluation of scientific training in Europe.
The delegation is calling for the setting up of new instruments, such as a European Research Council for supporting fundamental research though appeals procedures and project support. It is requesting that the necessary funding is put at the disposition of the research development services in order to reach the 3% objective of GDP set by the European Council of Barcelona. In this perspective, it is recommending that: 1) research is place as a number one priority in the debate opening in 2004 on new Union financial perspectives, without prejudice to decisions already taken on structural funds; 2) proposals contained in the Franco-German initiative for growth are confirmed and included in a Community programme.