Brussels, 16/02/2004 (Agence Europe) - During the next Competitiveness Council on 10 March in Brussels, Commissioner Philippe Busquin will inform ministers of the use that the Commission plans to make of the new research budget, which is to double from 2007 if the Member States accept the new financial perspectives proposed last week. It is a matter of focusing on five major axes which also correspond to five major structural weaknesses in Europe: (1) setting a European Science Council in place, by taking inspiration from the National Science Foundation of the USA, to support fundamental research projects selected by scientists; (2) investing in research infrastructure of European dimension or interest as well as in human resources for research (development of European scientific careers); (3) stimulating the development of public/private partnerships in the context of technological platforms; (4) supporting the development of European centres of excellence (on the basis of networks of excellence and integrated projects); and (5) improving coordination of national and regional research programmes. Mr Busquin will also seize the opportunity provided by the meeting to present the two recent communications on GMES and on the preparatory work for the future research programme on security issues.