EPP-ED group calls on European Council to honour research promises

Brussels, 17 Jun 2005

Prominent members of the EPP-ED group in the European Parliament have released a statement calling on the European Council to honour its promises on research by maintaining the proposed EU research budget.

'Making Europe less competitive means less economic growth, fewer jobs,' reads the statement. 'EPP-ED members of the Industry committee wish to increase economic growth and competitiveness and employment by keeping the budget for research. Science and research are the basis for more competitiveness and innovation in Europe. Our economy in the European Union needs a boost for private research and an efficient transformation of the research result in economic products.'

The statement is in response to a budget compromise proposed by the Luxembourg Presidency, which would cut the money available for activities related to competitiveness by around 40 per cent. The compromise is currently under discussion by Europe's Heads of State and Government.

'The Council intends to seriously cut the resources for European research. This means a regression of a crucial sector for the future of our economy. Europe's ambition to become the world's most dynamic knowledge-based society (as defined by the 2000 Lisbon Summit) needs a strong focus on competitiveness research and innovation. This goal is in serious danger,' the EPP-ED MEPs continue.

Signatories include Giles Chichester, Chair on the Parliament's Industry, Research and Energy Committee (ITRE), Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) rapporteur Jerzy Buzek and Vice President of the European Parliament Alejo Vidal-Quadras Roca.

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