Brussels, 01/06/2006 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday, with the adoption in first reading of the report by Jorgo Chatzimarkakis (ALDE, Germany), the European Parliament brought into being the Competitiveness and Innovation Programme (CIP) for 2007-2013. Following negotiation on the financial perspectives, the programme has a budget of €3.6 billion and aims to support actions allowing for the innovative capacity of SMEs to be developed and their competitiveness enhanced. The CIP also aims to encourage all forms of innovation, speed up the establishment of a sustainable, competitive and innovative information society accessible to all, and promote energy efficiency as well as new and renewable energy sources in all sectors, including transport. The CIP is composed of three specific sub-programmes: - the entrepreneurial spirit and innovation programme with a budget of €2.170 billion (of which €430 million will be for promotion of eco-innovation), to facilitate access by SMEs to sources of funding, foster better integration of existing service support networks for SMEs (Euro Info Centres and Innovation Relay Centres) and finance innovation activities (INNOVA, Pro-Inno, etc.). Another €1 billion will be earmarked for the financial instruments managed by the European Investment Fund (EIF) which jointly invests in venture capital funds (covering start-up and expansion phases) and obtains joint guarantees on loans; - the support programme for ICT policy, with a budget of €730 million; - and the programme on intelligent energy for Europe. Speaking at a press conference with Commissioner Verheugen and Greek shadow rapporteur Nikos Vakalis (EPP-ED), Mr Chazimarkakis said the programme will allow this “innovative leap forward that Europe needs”. Final adoption of the CIP by the Council is expected in the next few weeks.