Statement from Euroscience on the EU budget
Discussions at the European Council, 15 and 16 December 2005.
Today’s
meeting of the EU Heads of Government, under the UK Presidency,
represents a critical step not only in the further development of the
European Union but it is especially critical for the future of research
and development in Europe.
The Lisbon objectives, agreed by the
European Council in 2000 aimed at establishing the EU as the World’s
leading knowledge-based economy by 2010. Already the Mid term Review
led by former Dutch Prime Minister, Wim Kok, has shown that not only is
the EU failing in its approach to meet this objective but also it has
falling behind in the schedule necessary to attain the Lisbon goals in
the given timescale.
Support for research and development is the
key to achieving the Lisbon objectives and demands that national
governments increase their support for research and also give their
support to the overall research activity of the Union, as expressed
through the Framework Programme.
The proposal from the European
Commission for the Seventh Framework Programme provides an important
step to achieving the goals of the Lisbon process. The proposal,
setting out priorities for a seven year programme at a total value of
€72 billion, introduces vital new initiatives for Europe, of which the
one to establish a European Research Council (ERC) is the most
significant. This will encourage excellence in European research, which
can ensure European leadership in research for the future. This,
together with investment in research infrastructure and the support for
the younger generation of researchers, are vital for Europe’s future.
Euroscience,
a “grassroots” association of researchers, science journalists,
decision-makers and other interested in research with members in 40
European countries, welcomes the emphasis on research in the UK
Presidency budget proposal and urges Heads of Government to honour the
pledges which they themselves gave in Lisbon and the obligations which
they undertook, to ensure that the EU budget settlement recognises the
importance of the research and accords the full budget to the Seventh
Framework Programme, and especially those elements addressing the ERC,
research infrastructures and the younger generation of researchers.
Professor
Jean-Patrick Connerade, President of Euroscience, said “I strongly urge
the Heads of Government to remember their obligations from Lisbon and
to ensure that the research budget is protected within the overall
financial perspectives of the Union. The UK Presidency has recognised
the priority of research to the future of the Union and I sincerely
hope that other Heads of Government will be equally supportive. The EU
faces very major challenges in the years ahead and research is one area
from which we start from a reasonable base. Our economic well being
depends on this investment in research and development both for the
present and the future. I strongly urge the Heads of Government to come
to agreement at this meeting on the EU’s budget which must have, as its
priority, honouring the Lisbon obligations and ensuring a strong
investment in research”.