Brussels, 07/04/2005 (Agence Europe) - Following presentation of the most recent legislative proposals from the European Commission on research, industry, freedom, security and freedom, EU Member states held heated negotiations on the next financial perspectives (EUROPE 8922). On Wednesday divisions arose on ways for funding Romanian and Bulgarian agricultural spending but confirmed, overall, the importance of research for Europe's future (without, nonetheless, giving an opinion on the amount suggested by the Commission).
The Committee of Permanent Representatives (Coreper) held an exchange of views on the two important chapters of the proposals for the next financial framework: the “competitiveness for growth and jobs” section containing Lisbon Agenda policies (research, trans-European networks, education and training, competitiveness in a single integrated market and the social policy agenda) and section 2 (conservation and natural resources management) for needs relating to farming, rural development, fishing and a new financial instrument for the environment. MEPs even held their debate on these two major themes in light of the questions posed in the working document of the Luxembourg presidency (“negotiations framework” on financial perspectives 2007-13).
France and Austria notably indicated that they did not want the EU budget to go above EUR 815 in payment appropriations - 1% of Gross National Income (GNP) of the enlarged EU. Germany again highlighted the importance of budgetary discipline. Some countries like Spain and Greece called for a transformation of the sub-sections (competitiveness for growth and jobs) and 1b (cohesion policy aid).
Section 2: a group of countries (Belgium and Ireland, especially) requested market agricultural spending for 2007-13 (set by the European Council of October 2002) to be increased to fund expenditure expected for Romania and Bulgaria. Other countries, however, like the Netherlands, Sweden, Italy and Portugal wanted the requirement of the two future Member States of the EU to be funded out of the amounts decided on in 2002. France was happy to voice its opposition to any modification of agricultural spending set at the European Council.
Section 1 a: Denmark supported the doubling of funding for research and several countries (United Kingdom, Slovenia, Belgium and Portugal) underlined that this area was one of their priorities. Lithuania supported a more moderate increase in funding for research. Spain, Greece and Portugal highlighted the technological divide between Member States in this area.
13 April, Coreper will be tackling Section 3 (freedom, security and justice), 4 (external EU actions) and 5 (administrative spending). The debate on cohesion policy will be on 20 April.