Brussels, 11/02/2005 (Agence Europe) - An expert panel led by Dr Erkki Ormala, Director of Technology Policy, Nokia Group, has presented a report on the framework programmes for research and development to Commissioner Janez Potocnik, who welcomed the fact that the group of experts felt the framework programmes help to create a knowledge society in Europe.
The report, which is based on that by M. Marimon, notes that Community research must raise four key challenges to: - attract and reward the best talents; - create a high potential environment for business and industrial research; - mobilise resources for innovation and sustainable growth; - and build trust in science and technology. The report sets out a series of recommendations mainly aimed at improving and simplifying the way the framework programme works. Speaking at a press conference, Erkki Ormala mainly stressed the need for further consolidation of European space research, intensified integration of the new Member States, and the creation of the European Research Council.
Recalling that the Commission is preparing, for early April, its proposal for a framework programme to be completed by the autumn with a package of specific programmes, Commissioner Potocnik promised to take inspiration from the proposals of the group of experts that supports doubling research funding, but also simplification. Janez Potocnik makes the latter a priority. The Commissioner also spoke at length on the effort that must be made in favour of SMEs (he pointed out that he had formed a group of SME representatives that should help to improve access by SMEs to framework programme resources) and of men and women who work in the research field daily (an effort to attract young people, mobility programmes, etc.).