The 13.1 billion ECU budget for the Fourth Framework Programme, which comes to an end in 1998, was increased by 115 MECU following agreement between the European Council and Parliament. The Union's Research in Figures Training and Research Listening to the Future Over 300,000 young Europeans benefit from the Commission's research, innovation, education, training and youth programmes every year. Another area in which the Europeans are lacking is in the readiness to take risks, to trust in the future.
Failure is seen as something to be ashamed of in Europe.
This is not the case elsewhere. The essential key lies in the spirit of innovation. If we do not make up for lost ground in the new technologies we are destined to lose jobs. There is a very good reason why European Commissioner Edith Cresson's portfolio combines research and innovation with education, training and youth. The issues share a common theme - Europe's future.