Brussels, 01/04/2005 (Agence Europe) - The weekly meeting of the European Commission will be very busy next week. The Commissioners are due on Wednesday to approve their proposals on the 7th Framework programme for research, the new framework programme of “competitiveness an employment” and the programme for education and training known as “Citizens for Europe”. The triptych, the centre-piece of which will cost a mere 70 billion euros (which is the research budget planned by the Commission to cover seven years) along with the structural funds and EIB forms the new action plan for the knowledge-based society, which is destined to put the Lisbon Strategy back on track. It is a framework programme which is more expensive but also more full than the previous one, with nine thematic priorities (in place of seven) and actions for basic research, SMEs, infrastructure and the creation of regional poles bringing together universities, research centres, public authorities and business.
This ensemble forms part of a package of sectoral proposals for the financial perspective 2007-2013 which completes the first package announced in July 2004. On 6 April, the Commission is also due to adopt: - the draft regulation establishing a civil protection fund; - the communication on the Community programmes Customs 2013 and Fiscalis 2013; - three communications on justice and security (solidarity and management of migratory movements; basic rights; security and guaranteeing freedoms); - the future financing of fisheries policy; - the proposal on the EU solidarity fund (for disasters); the draft decision establishing the future Community action plan for health and consumer protection;