Brussels, 07/10/2005 (Agence Europe) - The aim of the British EU Presidency is still to achieve general policy guidelines (leaving financial matters aside) on the future framework programme for research and development during the Competitiveness Council to be held on 27 and 28 November. In order to achieve this, it has chosen to provoke a debate during the Competitiveness Council of 11 October (see other news p.8) on three technical aspects of the 7th FPRD proposed by the European Commission.
The first dossier is on the organisation of the European Research Council. From the first debates in Parliament and in Council, it appeared that the formula chosen by the Commission does not please everyone. At least seven Member States expressed reservation about the executive agency proposed. Such was the case of Denmark and Sweden, that consider such a formula is too closely connected to the Commission and preferring a joint venture (under Article 171). For what are sometimes divergent reasons, Hungary, Portugal and Italy also support the creation of a joint venture. Although, officially, the motivation given is that of European Research Council independence from the Commission, the joint venture is also the surest way for Member States to take over part of its control. In this debate, which has already been held at the European Parliament, the Commission has constantly highlighted its resolve to guarantee the autonomy of a structure that aims to support fundamental research “at the frontiers of knowledge”, without blending the world of politics with that of the economy. The second batch of questions that the ministers are invited to respond to cover the “capacities” chapter of the framework programme. This includes the place granted to SMEs in the programme. Some Member States, some MEPs and associations that represent SMEs are keen to reintroduce a minimum level of participation by SMEs. The Presidency also calls on ministers to say whether they approve of the selection criteria proposed by the Commission for funding new research infrastructures. The last question is on the arrangements for assessing implementation of the programme and the taking into account of this assessment during the programme as well as during preparation for the programme.