Parliament committee endorses research budget increase

Brussels, 08 Jun 2005

The European Parliament committee responsible for the EU budget has presented its report on the EU's financial perspectives for 2007 to 2013, endorsing the Commission's position on doubling the Union's research budget.

'[The] volume of appropriations for the research programme should reflect the critical mass of Community co-funding necessary to boost research and thus industrial activities and be at least the level of 0.09 per cent of the EU GNI, which would reflect the notion of doubling of the EU research spending (which currently represents 0.05 per cent,' states the report by German MEP Reimer Böge from the Temporary Committee on Policy Challenges and Budgetary Means of the enlarged Union.

The report highlights the fundamental importance of research for Europe's future, stating: 'Research activities represent the highest added value from the European integration viewpoint. They bring together not only researchers and their know-how but also industry, SMEs [small and medium sized enterprises] and scientific bodies.' Research is also regarded as essential for competitiveness by the committee.

MEPs do ask the Commission to save money in one area however, by addressing overpayments. The issue was first raised in a report by the Court of Auditors in 2003, and has been addressed by the Commission, although not as successfully as some MEPs would like.

Other research demands in the committee report relate to innovation and space. EU co-financing for 'innovation into application' should increase 80 per cent of each project so as to guarantee access to research results, and the volume of appropriations for the policy area 'competitiveness and innovation; should 'reach a critical mass in order to attain the Lisbon goals', states the report.

MEPs state that space activities should be budgeted under a separate policy area.

The final report was welcomed by most at a reading on 7 June. Representing the EPP-ED group, Alain Lamassoure endorsed the committee's proposals, which, he said, make clear that the EU cannot enlarge and strengthen with a static budget. Support is needed in order to address the Lisbon goals, he added. On behalf of the Socialist group, Catherine Guy-Quint claimed that the report is a worthy one for the relaunch of the European economy, while ALDE group representative Anne Elisabet Jensen declared herself happy with the focus on education, research, energy and transport, but regretful of some scaling down of ambitious research efforts. 'It is out of step. Instead of developing a common approach that could stimulate the EU's competitiveness, we are cutting relatively modest sums which will achieve nothing,' she said.

The European Parliament was due to vote on the committee report on 8 June. To access the committee report, please click here

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