Brussels, 04/05/2009 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 29 April, the European Commission published an interim report on the seventh framework programme for research and development (7th FPRD) of the EU, covering the period 2007- 2013. The programme, which has a budget of €54 billion, constitutes an appropriate response to the fight against the current economic crisis, states the Commission. The 7th FPRD has "passed the test", said Research Commissioner Janez Potoènik. According to the report, EU aid has been vitally important in areas such as the environment, energy and nanotechnologies, and has supported sustainable development and the reduction of carbon emissions. The technological platforms have helped to respond to the needs of industry and the European Research Council is supporting scientists in global competition in the field of scientific excellence. Lastly, joint technological initiatives have led to new public-private partnerships of an unprecedented technological and financial scale. However, the Commission acknowledges that there are a number of problems which require particular attention, such as low level of participation of SMEs and researchers from the new member states, and simplifying the administrative rules. In order to level out the shortcomings, the Commission has asked an independent group of experts to carry out the interim assessment of the 7th FPRD in autumn 2010. The progress report of the Commission is available at the following address: http: //ec.europa.eu/research/index.cfm?pg=reports (B.C./transl.fl)