Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2006-06-13-Speech-2-022"
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"en.20060613.6.2-022"2
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".
Mr President, Commissioner, I should like to start by thanking Mr Buzek for his excellent cooperation and for the spirit with which he presided over the preparation of this framework programme, and, like him, I would say that the compromise amendments are supported by all the groups and therefore demonstrate Parliament's desire to clarify certain points.
With particular regard to the European Research Council, Commissioner, I should like to tell you that it is clear that this new institution is vital for the scientific community. We, like you, are therefore very keen to ensure that it works as well as possible as part of an autonomous scientific community. That is the direction taken by our amendments on the matter, even though, legally, we will need to discuss it during the trialogue. That said, we should like to assure you that we are very interested in the European Research Council and that we consider it to be very important.
Turning to the framework programme in general, we are, like you, rather disappointed by the reduction in funding, because we are aware how important it is as an instrument for the Lisbon policy. We also know that it could have a considerable multiplier effect. In this regard, the joint technology platforms and technology initiatives will play a vital role, and it will not necessarily be a question of money, but rather of setting up an effective public/private partnership at European level on certain major subjects.
Be that as it may, all of these programmes must be based on excellence. It is a key aspect in the selection of projects, be it within the framework of collaborative research or under the headings 'capacities', 'ideas' and, above all, 'people', in other words researchers, because the most important thing is to have researchers who feel happy. However, in Europe today, we do not always give researchers the social and moral status they deserve. That is why the European Union must give a good example, by awarding high-quality Marie Curie fellowships, which build bridges between countries and help to slow down the brain drain.
On the issue of embryonic stem cells, to which you referred, Commissioner, it is true that this branch of research represents a tiny fraction of the budget – barely one thousandth. Like you, I think that the projects undertaken under the aegis of the Sixth Framework Programme offer every guarantee of ethical quality and of the will to create European-scale projects that are beacons of excellence. That is why the compromise amendment adopted in the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy at the initiative of Mrs Gutiérrez, an amendment that I cosigned and that you support, recommends that we carry on with what has been done with the Sixth Framework Programme, in other words a case-by-case analysis that is vital if we are to achieve a level of excellence in a field of research that shows great promise for the future.
With regard to the budget, we are, as we have said, all a little disappointed. I personally will watch closely to ensure that, over the first few years, you make the effort to increase the relative portion a little. It is true that an increase is planned, but it will not really make its presence felt until after 2009. For the 2007 and 2008 budgets, therefore, I think that, within the Commission, you should be able, on the basis of the very good implementation rates, to increase the relative portion, at any rate the portion obtained by Parliament following the discussions on the financial perspective. Even though this portion is somewhat symbolic, as it amounts to only EUR 340 million, we want it to be allocated to priorities such as the European Research Council and Marie Curie fellowships, without forgetting the thematic priorities. Parliament is very concerned about the environment and energy, and those are therefore the thematic priorities to which we want to provide more support.
In addition, allow me to draw your attention – I think you are already aware of this, but I was surprised to find that the Council is less so – to the interaction between science and society. It is absolutely vital for us to develop a positive relationship between society and science in Europe, and for us to ensure that young people do not lose the taste for science and research. In this regard, the 'science and society' element sets an example throughout Europe, and we will therefore pay close attention to ensure that its budget is not reduced as the Council intends.
Finally, I should also like to add my voice to those who have said that the Joint Research Centre plays a vital role and that its activities in the nuclear sector help to harmonise, at European level, the security issues that we all need to address.
To conclude, we must make rapid progress regarding the participation rules. The simplification of programmes is an essential point in achieving the best possible participation. On that subject, we will have to keep a close eye on the calendar, because, as you have stressed, 1 January 2007 is approaching rapidly. Parliament will make a positive contribution to finding solutions regarding the participation rules, as it is doing in connection with the Seventh Framework Programme that we are going to adopt. That said, the two other partners, the Commission – though I have no doubts as to your own goodwill, Commissioner – and the Council must take matters in hand to ensure that the scientific community is given every reassurance regarding the Seventh Framework Programme. Once again, my congratulations on your work."@en1
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