EU-ministers: onderzoek atomen gaat verder tot 2013 (en)

EU ministers of science worked out a political compromise concerning the Euratom i program that guarantees the continuation of atomic research till 2013.

Ministers of science of member states thanked the Polish presidency for the constructive negotiations relating to the future of atomic research in Europe. “We are satisfied with the greater concentration on security, especially in the context of what happened in Fukushima” said Andy Lebrecht, representing Great Britain. “It is important that the Council gave the Polish presidency the mandate to negotiate financial matters. We should jointly persuade the European Parliament that our proposals are grounded”, added Philippe Léglise-Costa (France).

Decisions on financing of the Euratom program in 2012-13, by the time of a new financial perspective, require a consensus between the Council, the European Parliament and the European Commission. The Polish presidency acquired a mandate from the Council to lead these arrangements. “We hope that it will be possible to finish the financial negotiations by mid-November”, declared EU Commissioner for Research, Innovation and Science Máire Geoghegan-Queen.

During the Friday debate, the Council also attained a consensus on amendment of the regulation establishing a joint enterprise on behalf of the technology of fuel cells and hydrogen technology. “We hope that, as a result, not only research institutions but also enterprises will join the research related to this area”, says Minister Barbara Kudrycka.

The Competitiveness Council i also adopted the conclusions concerning the Joint Programming Initiative “More Years, Better Lives”. “It is an expression of the common intention of member states as regards research efforts aimed at tackling one of the most burning challenges of European policy: activation and support for the aspirations of the 1950`s generation”, said the Polish minister at the conference.

A presentation of the report of the European Commission concerning the under-representation of some states in the 7th Framework Program of the financing of research stimulated a lively discussion among European ministers of science. The report was an answer to the postulate of the Polish presidency to analyze the reasons for the unequal access to EU funds for research. Today, 10 percent of the best research centres assumes nearly 80 percent of funds in competitions of the 7th FP while the share of the 12 new member states reaches 4-5 percent. “This issue requires new solutions, both at the level of individual countries and the Commission. Conclusions from today’s debate have to be reflected in the new Horizon 2020 program”, concluded Minister Barbara Kudrycka.