Brussels, 17/06/2005 (Agence Europe) - In Luxembourg on 16 and 17 June, the European Commission held a workshop is the simplification of procedures under the Framework Programme for Research and Development (FPRD) and measures to be taken to make the 7th FPRD more accessible. Among measures being looked at are simplification of the financial instruments, reduction of red tape, the use of more accessible language, reducing the quantity and size of documents, reducing the number of items requested of those taking part, reducing a priori controls, increasing the autonomy of the consortiums and rationalising the selection process.
At the opening of this workshop, a few hours before the first discussions of the European Council on the financial perspectives, which will decide the fate of future funding for community research, Commissioner Janez Potocnik reminded his audience that science moves on very quickly. "If we do not move forward at the same pace as that at which knowledge develops, we will be dragging behind, Europe will be dragging behind", said the Commissioner, repeating that "all indications are that the Council will step up its support to the policies of the past rather than investing in the future" (see also EUROPE 8969). He repeated his warning that it would be almost impossible to achieve the objectives set unless the proposal of the Luxembourg Presidency was adopted and that "if we cannot double our budget, we will have to redouble our efforts, particularly in terms of simplification".