TEXT PROPOSED BY THE COMMISSION AMENDMENT

Amendment 1

Proposal for a regulation Recital 1

(1) The Framework Programme of the European Atomic Energy Community for nuclear research and training activities for 2012-2013, hereinafter ‧the Framework Programme (2012-2013)‧, was adopted by Council Decision No …/…/Euratom of … concerning the Framework Programme of the European Atomic Energy Community for nuclear research and training activities (2012-2013). It is the responsibility of the Commission to ensure the implementation of the Framework Programme (2012-2013) and its specific programmes, including the related financial aspects. (1) The Framework Programme of the European Atomic Energy Community for nuclear research and training activities for 2012-2013, hereinafter ‧the Framework Programme (2012-2013)‧, which was adopted by Council Decision No …/…/Euratom of … concerning the Framework Programme of the European Atomic Energy Community for nuclear research and training activities (2012-2013 , is intended to complement the other actions of the Union in the area of research policy that are necessary for the implementation of the Europe 2020 strategy, in particular those relating to education and training, competitiveness and innovation, industry, employment and the environment. It is the responsibility of the Commission to ensure the implementation of the Framework Programme (2012-2013) and its specific programmes, including the related financial aspects.

Amendment 2

Proposal for a regulation Recital 4 a (new)

(4a) The Framework Programme (2012-2013) should contribute to achieving the Innovation Union that is one of the flagship initiatives of the Europe 2020 strategy, by reinforcing competition with a view to scientific excellence and accelerating the implementation of key innovations in the field of nuclear energy, especially as regards nuclear fusion and safety, while also playing a part in meeting the challenges of the energy sector and climate change.

Amendment 3

Proposal for a regulation Recital 4 b (new)

(4b) The design and implementation of the Framework Programme (2012-2013) should be based on the principles of simplicity, stability, transparency, legal certainty, consistency, excellence and trust following the recommendations of the European Parliament in its resolution of 11 November 2010 on simplifying the implementation of the Research Framework Programmes (1).

Amendment 4

Proposal for a regulation Recital 5 a (new)

(5a) Increased attention and budget spending are needed for initiatives ancillary to core nuclear research, in particular as regards investment in human capital and actions aimed at addressing the risk of skills shortages in the coming years (e.g. grants to researchers in the nuclear field) and the consequent loss of leadership for the Union.

Amendment 5

Proposal for a regulation Recital 6 a (new)

(6a) Special attention should be paid to the development of contractual arrangements that reduce the risk of failure to perform as well as the reallocation of risks and costs over time.

Amendment 6

Proposal for a regulation Recital 8

(8) The Framework Programme (2012-2013) should promote participation from the outermost regions of the Community, as well as from a wide range of undertakings, research centres and universities. (8) The Framework Programme (2012-2013) should promote participation from the outermost regions of the Community, as well as from a wide range of undertakings, research centres and universities , whose research activities should be based on respect for fundamental ethical principles, especially those laid down in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union .

Amendment 7

Proposal for a regulation Recital 23 a (new)

(23a) The implementation of ITER in Europe, pursuant to the agreement of 21 November 2006 on the establishment of the ITER International Fusion Energy Organisation in the context of the joint implementation of the ITER project, should constitute the central element of research activity in the area of fusion under the Framework Programme (2012-2013).

Amendment 8

Proposal for a regulation Article 11 – paragraph 2

They may also lay down, according to the nature and objectives of the indirect action, additional conditions to be met as regards type of participant and, where appropriate, place of establishment. They may also lay down, according to the nature and objectives of the indirect action, additional justified conditions to be met as regards type of participant and, where appropriate, place of establishment.

Amendment 9

Proposal for a regulation Article 12 – paragraph 3

3. Calls for proposals shall have clear objectives so as to ensure that applicants do not respond needlessly. 3. Calls for proposals shall have clear quantitative and qualitative objectives so as to ensure that applicants do not respond needlessly.

Amendment 10

Proposal for a regulation Article 14 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2

The criteria shall be those of excellence, impact and implementation. Within these conditions, the work programme shall further specify the evaluation and selection criteria and may add additional requirements, weightings and thresholds, or set out further details on the application of the criteria. The criteria shall be those of excellence, impact and implementation. Within these conditions, the work programme shall further specify the evaluation and selection criteria and may add clearly justified additional requirements, weightings and thresholds, or set out further details on the application of the criteria.

Amendment 11

Proposal for a regulation Article 14 – paragraph 3 a (new)

3a. All stages of the process should be optimised in order to avoid delay and encourage cost-effectiveness. That involves access to draft work programmes, publication of calls for proposals, drafting of proposals, the selection procedures and the time taken to approve and to pay grants.

Amendment 12

Proposal for a regulation Article 16 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 4

Appropriate measures shall be taken to ensure a reasonable gender balance when appointing groups of independent experts . Appropriate measures shall be taken when appointing groups of independent experts to ensure a reasonable gender balance and a balance between Member States undertaking research and training in the nuclear field .

Amendment 13

Proposal for a regulation Article 16 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 4 a (new)

Appropriate measures shall be taken to ensure an adequate balance between industry (including SMEs) and academia when appointing groups of independent experts.

Amendment 14

Proposal for a regulation Article 30 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 – point e

(e) they must be exclusive of non-eligible costs, in particular identifiable indirect taxes including value added tax, duties, interest owed, provisions for possible future losses or charges, exchange losses, cost related to return on capital, costs declared or incurred, or reimbursed in respect of another Union project, debt and debt service charges, excessive or reckless expenditure, and any other cost that does not meet the conditions referred to in points (a) to (d). (e) they must be exclusive of non-eligible costs, in particular identifiable indirect taxes including non-recoverable value added tax, duties, interest owed, exchange losses, cost related to return on capital, costs declared or incurred, or reimbursed in respect of another Union project, debt and debt service charges, excessive or reckless expenditure, and any other cost that does not meet the conditions referred to in points (a) to (d).

Amendment 15

Proposal for a regulation Article 52 – paragraph 2 – point a