Mr President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, on 14 November 2001, Parliament adopted, by a very broad majority, my report on the Sixth Framework Programme (FP6) for research, technological development and demonstration activities. We retained the structure, the principles and the philosophy of Commissioner Busquin’s plan and enhanced these aspects with contributions by citizens from the research community so as to better respond to the aspirations of the European people. On 10 December 2001, the Research Council responded, in an extraordinary manner, to many of our requests and proposals. Since then, we have continued to work together to clarify some points and to further improve the framework programme in close collaboration with Commissioner Busquin and his staff as well as the Council Presidency and Mr Marimón Suñol. Everyone has made an effort, everyone has listened to and tried to understand each other; to work around others’ limitations and to seek compromise. On 23 April 2002, the Committee on Industry, External Trade, Research and Energy adopted 90 amendments, 30 of which will be included in the specific programmes. We requested further clarification on the instruments for the implementation of the programme, on the aid to SMEs and on micro enterprises. We emphasised research, sustainable development and the reduction of external environmental costs. We reiterated our commitment to basic research. Lastly, we stressed the importance of research in the fields of health and combating major diseases, whilst bearing in mind everything which affects human and social research. Before and after these votes, several informal and formal three-way meetings enabled us to reconcile the various points of view. The administrative and technical teams of the three institutions, the MEPs concerned and their assistants have worked tirelessly. And on 7 May, during a lengthy and particularly productive three-way meeting, we reached agreements involving 34 compromise amendments that the Committee on Industry approved last night, almost unanimously, thus giving me the go-ahead, as rapporteur, to substitute them for the amendments adopted on 23 April. On the more delicate subject of ethical considerations, a broad agreement was reached, enabling the Commission to confirm the limits that must not be exceeded in this area, which means the Council can take these into account and that everything can be included in the specific programmes. Commissioner Busquin is expected to confirm this later. We are now on the verge of finally adopting the FP6, as the Council has already given us its written approval of the 34 compromise amendments that you are to vote on tomorrow. I would like to conclude by once again thanking the Belgian Presidency which enabled us to adopt a very positive common position on 10 December 2001. I would again like to thank Commissioner Busquin and his staff, who have been open to our views, shown understanding and respect for Parliament and proposed imaginative solutions. I would also like to thank Chairman Westendorp and the entire secretariat of the Committee on Industry, the administrators and secretariats of the political groups and my assistant, Gaëlle Le Bouler. I extend my warm thanks to my colleagues who have worked with me on this matter for a year and a half, the shadow rapporteurs, the coordinators, the draftsmen, which include Mr van Velzen, Mr Piétrasanta, Mr Alyssandrakis, Mrs Plooij-van Gorsel and also Mrs McNally. I would thank in particular, the Spanish Presidency and Mr Marimón Suñol who have been open to our views and given a great deal of their time, something which is particularly deserving of our gratitude and praise. Ladies and gentlemen, I have almost come to an end, with what will no doubt be my last major European report, after 13 years as an MEP. I the French Party six months ago, and will be standing in the legislative elections in France, as a candidate of the ‘Forum Gauche Citoyenne’ [Forum of the Citizens’ ], up against a Party candidate. Either I will be elected and will leave the House, or I will be defeated and the Party will inevitably dismiss me from the Group of the . Whatever happens, my life will be completely transformed and that is why I am pleased to close this chapter of my political life, having contributed to the creation of an excellent European research programme which, with a budget of EUR 17.5 billion, is the third largest European policy. Today, 14 May 2002, I would like to express my genuine pride, and to praise Europe’s scientific community with which I have worked closely and to thank once again all my colleagues and their counterparts who have helped and supported me over the last year and a half. (Applause)

Political group: PSE