ARCHIVES HISTORIQUES 
DE LA COMMISSION 
 
 
 
COLLECTION RELIEE DES 
DOCUMENTS "COM" 
 
 
 
 
COM (84) 287 
 
 
 
Vol. 1984/0 131 
  
 
Disclaimer  
Conformém ent au règlement (CEE, Euratom) n° 354/83 du Conseil du 1er février 1983 
concernant l'ouverture au public des archives historiques de la Communauté économique 
européenne et de la Communauté européenne de l'énergie atomique (JO L 43 du 15.2.1983, 
p. 1), tel que modifié par le règlement (CE, Euratom) n° 1700/2003 du 22 septembre 2003 
(JO L 243 du 27.9.2003, p. 1), ce dossier est ouvert au public. Le cas échéant, les documents 
classifiés présents dans ce dossier ont été déclassifiés conformément à l'article 5 dudit 
règlem ent. 
In accordance with Council Regulation (EEC, Euratom) No 354/83 of 1 February 1983 
concerning the openi ng to the public of the historical archives of the European Econom ic 
Community and the European Atomic Energy Communit y (OJ L 43, 15.2.1983, p. 1), as 
amended by Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1700/2003 of 22 September 2003 (OJ L 243, 
27.9.2003, p. 1), this f ile is open to the public. Where necessary, classified documents in this 
file have been declassified in conformity with Article 5 of the aforementioned regulation.  
In Übereinstimmung mit der Verordnung (EWG, Euratom) Nr. 354/83 des Rates vom  1. 
Februar 198 3 über die Freigabe der historischen Archive der Europäischen  
Wirtschaftsgemeinschaft und der Europäischen Atomgem einschaft (ABI. L 43 vom  15.2.1983,  
S. 1), geändert durch die Verordnung (EG, Euratom) Nr. 1700/2003 vom 22. Septem ber 2003  
(ABI. L 243 vom 27 .9.2003, S. 1), ist diese Datei der Öffentlichkeit zugänglich. Soweit  
erforderlich, wurden die Verschlusssachen in dieser Datei in Übereinstimmung mit Artikel 5  
der genannten Verordnung freigegeben.  
COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
COM (84) 287 final
Brussels,24th May 1984
COMMUNITY RESEARCH PRIORITIES
(Communication from the Commission t o  the Council)
COM (84) 287 final

-  1 -
I. INTRODUCTION
This communication is the response to a request made by the Council of  
Research Ministers, which at its meeting on 28 February 1984 agreed "to  
engage in adiscussionof R&D priorities on the basis of Commission proposals".  
This document has been produced in order to prepare the way for the Council  
meeting of 8 June 1984, wh i  ch i  s i  nt ended to set out the guidelines for and  
establish the magnitude of developments in S/T activities in the coming years.
A great deal of light has in fact already been shed upon this comprehen­
sive discussion by the resolution which was adopted by the Council (25  
July 1983) dealing with the principles, objectives and criteria for choosing  
actions in the "Framework Programme for Community scientific and technical  
activities 1984-1987". When the Framework Programme (a guide for Community  
programming and decision making) was adopted, there was at the same time a  
recognition of the priority which R,D&Dat European level shouId receive.
It now remains to flesh out t h i  s objective, putting it at the same time  
into financial and budgetary context and going into the necessary detail-
In this respect two major decisions have recently confirmed the Commun i  t y '  s
desire to qive scientific and technical research a genuine Community priority :
(2)- the recognition, in the official preparation texts for the European Counci l  
of "the need to increase the proportion of Community resources allocated  
to funding priority Community research and development activities,
- the adoption of the ESPRIT Programme, the very sea le of whi ch c l  ea r Ly indi­
cates the interest which Member States are displaying in respect of Europe s  
responses to the scientific and technical challenges which must be faced.
In this perspective the Commission now proposes :
- that the priorities to be specifically selected for R,D&D be confirmed  
and set out, in the context of the Framework Programme, which is the only  
tool capable of giving an overall coherence to Community S/T activities,
- that the budgetary approach suggested in this document be adopted bearing  
in mind the current financial situation and respecting the principles of  
general budgetary discipline proposed by the Commission (see C0M(84)83 final)
(1) See the text of the resolution in Annex II of this document.
(2) See Annex to minutes of the Council of 27.3.84 ''Text having formed the  
basis of deliberations of the European Council intended to act as  
orientation texts for use by the Council in its various forms .

-  2 -
XI. IMPLEMENTING THE EUROPEAN SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL STRATEGY
II.1. Several important decisions have already been taken on the basis of the  
resolution approving the Framework Programme 1984-1987.
The adoption of the Joint Research Centre's multiannual research Pro-  
qramme (1984-1987) and the modifications in its organisation which will  
enable it to play its full part as an instrument of Community S/T, in  
continuous liaison with corresponding national activities.
. The implementation of the ESPRIT Programme, the first major European  
programme in the sector of new information technology.
The renewal of the programmes on Decommissioning nuclear power stations,  
the Environment and FAST which are likely to give a new impetus to work  
being undertaken in their respective fields.
These actions were immediately started up and are proceeding according to  
the stated objectives.
At the same time, and in line with the objectives of the Framework Pro­
gramme, the Commission proposed a range of actions which seemed to be of  
major interest to the Community :
The Plan to stimulate European cooperation and scientific and technical  
interchange 1985-1988, which aims to bring about a real European S/T  
action space through the undertaking of original initiatives and methods
of support,
The Research action Programme in the field of biotechnology (1985-1989)  
the implementation of which should not only enable Europe to rival its  
main competitors but also to achieve some of its own political objec­
tives :  reducing public expenditure in sectors such as agriculture and  
health care, developing food autonomy in the Third World, etc.
The continuation and extension of the Controlled thermonuclear Fusion  
Programme wherein lies a potential solution to the Community's long  
term energy supply problem.
lastly, the Commission put a communication to the Council dealing with  
Telecommunications^which presented some first proposals for a programme  
of action (25 MioECUs per year). A proposal for a programme of researc!  
and development will shortly be prepared and sent to the Council,
(1) Communication from the Commission to the Council on Telecommunica­
tions :  Progress report on the thinking and work done in the field  
and initial proposal for an action programme (C0M(84)277).

- 3 -
enabling the Community to develop a mastery of the major technical changes  
which this sector of activity is currently experiencing.
11.2. In direct connection with the objectives chosen in the Framework Programme,  
several programme proposals have also been submitted to the Council by the  
Commission. These are currently at various stages of discussion with the  
Member States- Some have gone beyond the stage of decision on technical  
matters and now require political agreement :
. The Programme of Basic Technological Research and the application of new  
technologies (BRITE) which corresponds closely to the criteria of the  
Framework Programme for the goal "Improving industrial competitiveness".
.  The Non-nuclear Energy Programme, whose sectoral sub-objectives have  
already been discussed at previous Councils and which has been supple­
mented by the recent proposal relating to hydrocarbons.
. The Radiation Protection Programme upon which experts have commented  
and agreed.
Again, the Radioactive Waste Programme 1985-1989 requires a decision  
during 1984 in order to avoid any hiatus in the work of teams workinq in  
these sectors within the Community.
11.3. Other recent Commission proposals still require discussions of principle  
from which new orientations should emerge from the Council on the basis  
of supplementary documents put forward by the Commission.
. The Programme on Reactor Safety for which the Council will have to  
formulate guidelines as to the orientation and scope of this activity,  
so that a programme decision can be arrived at quickly.
. The Programme of Aid for the development of endogenous scientific re­
search capacity in the developing countries where the Commission, after  
having modified its original proposal in the light of Parliament’s  
opinion, has made certain elements of its proposal more concrete.
At the same time, whilst the new programme of Agricultural Research 1984- 
1988 has been approved, its scale (30 MioECUs) and its excessively limited 
content do not however make up more than a partial response to the large 
and complex problems which R&D must tackle within the common agricultural  
policy. Supplements to, improvements in and extensions of the programme  
will have to be provided for in the future in order to imbue this funda­
mentally important sector of activity with a new dynamism.

- 4 -
II. 4. Finally, the following programmes, which are very much part of the
dynamic of the Framework Programme and which correspond to the priority  
objectives adopted by the Council are at an advanced stage of prepara­
tion within the services of the Commission :
. Advanced Materials,
.  Transport,
„ Fisheries, Acquaculture.
The importance of the objectives to which they respond, the urgency  
with which they should be implemented and the degree of technical  
maturity which they have already achieved led the Commission to include  
them in the preliminary draft budget 1985-
III. FINANCING R,D&D ACTIVITIES - THE CHOICE TO BE MADE
The Council of Research Ministers on 28 June 1983 approved not only the  
principles, the objectives and the criteria for choosing Community R&D 
actions but also "expressed a large measure of agreement as to the need  
to increase Community Research and Development expenditure, and as to  
the proportionally greater share of overall Community budget which they  
should receive"- This basic standpoint has been confirmed during the  
preparation of the latest European Councils.
And it is in this general context that the 1984 budget was prepared and  
adopted and in which the 1985 budget is being prepared now.
For 1984, whilst retaining an attitude of budgetary rigour,
all actions that have been decided upon or which are in the  
process of being politically decided can be undertaken or committed.
For 1985 the preliminary draft R&D budget adopted by the Commission  
amounts to a special effort in this particular sector, having regard  
nevertheless to the constraints affecting the Community budget, even  
though it does not fully correspond to the initial ambitions to imple­
ment the Framework Programme- It should however enable a start to be  
made upon the most urgent actions, as set out in the following Table.

- 5 -
PRELIMINARY DRAFT BUDGET 1985 - Research Sector (Chapt er 73)
Requests for appropriations by budget item, in MioECUs
Commitment Payment
appropriations appropriations
7300 CBR 5.000 5.500
7301 Textiles and clothing 0.0 0.700
7302 Basic Technological Research 54.322 10.000
7305 Biomolecular Engineering 1.500 4.100
7306 Biotechnology 30.000 5.000
7308 Raw Materials 9.279 14.400
7310 Thermonuclear Fusion 102.500 81 .250
7311 JET 80.000 70.700
Fusion contributions 6.150 6.150
7315 Radioactive Waste 0.700 6-700
7316 Decommissioning 3.200 2.300
7317 Reactor Safety 6.000 1  .800
7318 Codes and Standards 1.100 1  .000
7320 New Sources of Energy 56.000 20.000
7325 Medical Research 3.870 3-800
7326 Radiation Protection 24.000 11.800
7328 Environment 6.577 11.500
7330 Developing Countries 18.000 9.900
7331 Develop-Countries (endogenous
capaci ty) 7.000 3.500
7335 ESPRIT 223.000 100.000
7350 FAST 3.540 1  .300
7351 Stimulation 15.900 6.000
7353 Ligno-cellulose 0.176 0.125
7354 Food Technology III 0.185 0.150
7355 Food Technology IV 0.190 0.125
7356 Maritime Navigation 0.500 0.600
7358 Education Training 0.0 1  .600
7359 International Cooperation 3.000 2.000
7360 Staff at disposal of outside
bodies 0.750 0.750
7362 Services for outside bodies 0.150 0.150
7365 Research on Industrial Waste 0.0 1.800
Joint Research Centre 211.078 215.400
(*)Chapter 100 37.050 9.900
TOTAL CHAPTER 73 910,720 .  610-000
(*) Credits inscribed on Chapter 100 are designed to allow a start to  
be made on the following new actions in 1985 :
- Advanced Materials
- Fisheries, Acquaculture
- Telecommunications
- Transport
- Radioactive Waste (New Programme 1985-1989)

-  6 -
As the Table indicates, whilst it is possible to provide for the under­
taking or the commitment (from 1985) of a large number of R,D&D pro­
grammes arising out of the objectives of the Framework Programme, the  
Commission does however find itself forced to postpone a certain number  
of others, in particular :  ecoclimatology, natural disasters, agronomics  
research, non-ionising radiation, the technology and science of food­
stuffs, health and safety at work.
The revision of the Framework Programme 1984-1987 which is scheduled  
for 1985 (article 5 of the Resolution dated 27.7-1983) will make it  
possible to restore these actions in the context of overall policy(1)
With the 1985 budget, the Commission has thus been led to establish,  
within the Framework Programme, a hierarchy of priorities as to the  
timing of the implementation of corresponding activities, according  
to the urgency and value to the Community of the decisions to be taken,  
and to set out the financial repercussions involved.
The Commission now requests the Council to take a view upon this hierar­
chy of priorities.
This decision will be of great value during the 1985 discussion, as a  
means of making clear to Finance Ministers what level of resources  
ought to be made available for R&D.
(1) See in Annex I the Table illustrating the breakdown of actions,  
corresponding to priorities determined by current circumstances,  
defined in this document according to the goals in the Framework  
Programme 1984-1987.

- 7 -
Once it has itself established the hierarchy of priorities to be  
employed the Research Council will be in a better position to take  
specific orogramme decisions before the end of 1984, it being clear  
that the chosen priority activities will be implemented according to  
budgetary availability. The fact that these decisions relate to multi­
annual programmes means that there is enough flexibility for the budgets  
necessary for them to be implemented to be fixed in future years. In  
fact, variations could, if need be, be introduced into the process of  
committing the money for these programmes and their progressive imple­
mentation, either in terms of the methods by which they are carried  
out, or in terms of time-scale.
Lastly, the revision of the Framework Programme, scheduled to take  
place in 1985, could make it possible to undertake a new overall  
examination of, and, perhaps, to make modifications to the lines of  
priority that have been established,
★ ★ ★
It should be noted that certain activities, known as horizontal activities,  
which are designed to accompany and support the research programme and of  
which examples are the proposals covering the utilisation of research  
results and the specialised information, are not dealt with in this docu­
ment, They should however be the subject of specific and separate deci­
sions by the Council,
IV- CONCLUSION
Thus, on the basis of this communication, the Commission is now asking the  
Council to come to an agreement upon the general lines and methods of deve­
loping the scientific and technical strategy, as proposed in this document  
for the years to come, and specifically :
- to invite the Budget Council to use the priorities chosen by the Research  
Council as a basi s for a l  locating financia l  resources for R,DSD in 1985,
- to adopt a joint orientation so far as the 1985-1988 Plan to stimulate  
European cooperation and scientific interchange, as well as the Multi­
annual Programme of research in the field of Biotechnology 1985-1989  
are concerned,
- to come to a decision upon the programmes of Basic Technological Research  
and application of new Technologies (BRITE) and Non-nuclear Energy Sources  
for which appropriations have been inscribed in the 1985 budget (Chapter  
100) , as well as upon the Radiation Protection Programme,
- lastly, to undertake to come to a decision upon other programmes which  
appear in the preliminary draft budget 1985, according to the hierarchy  
of priorities which is chosen-

ANNEX I
Breakdown, according to the goals in the Framework Programme, of actions  
corresponding to the priorities (determined by current circumstances) set  
out in this document
For comparison Breakdown in V.Breakdown
Community goals 1982 Breakdownfor actions  
under way or  
proposed in  
this documentproposed in  
the
Framework
Programme
i  l. Prrncting agricul­
tural competitive­
ness, including fish1.9 1.8 3.5
2. Promoting industrial  
competitiveness16.8 36.8 28.2
3. Improving the
management of raw  
materials1.4 0.8 2.1
4. Improving the  
management of  
energy resources65.4 45.9 47.2
5. Stepping up
Development aid0.70 2.9 4.0
6. Improving living  
and working  
conditions9.80 10.1 10.3
7. Improving the  
efficacy of the  
Community's S/T  
potential0 1.1 2.3
Horizontal Actions
14.0 0.1 2.4
TOTAL 100 100 100

ANNEX I I
4.8.83 Official Journal of the European Communities
I
(Information)
C O U N C IL
COUNCIL RESOLUTION 
of 25 July 1983
on framework programmes for Community research, development and demonstration 
activities and a first framework programme 1984 to 1S87
THE COUNCIL OI:  THE EUROPEAN 
COMMUNITIES,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the
European Economic Community, and in particular 
Article 235 thereof,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the
European Atomic Energy Community, and in 
particular Article 7  thereof,
Having regard to the Council resolution of 1 4
January 1974 on the coordination of national policies 
and the definition of projects of interest to the 
Community in the field of science and technology ('),
Having regard to proposals from the Commission 
in its communications to the Council dated 
22 December 1982 and 20 May 1983 (') on the 
framework programme 1984 to 1987,
Having regard to the opinion of the European
Parliament (‘),
Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and 
Social Committee ('),
Having regard to the opinion of the Scientific and 
Technical Research Committee (Crest),
Whereas Article 2  of the Treaty establishing the 
European Economic Community assigns to the 
Community the task, among others, of promoting 
throughout the Community a . harmonious 
development of economic activities, a continuous and 
balanced expansion and an accelerated raising of the 
standard of living;
(') OJ 9 :  ; 7, 29. 1 . 1974, p . 2 .
(') OJ No C 169, 29 . 6 . 1983, p . II.
(’)  Opinion delivered on 1 0  June 1983 (not yet published in  
the Olhcial Journal).
(') Opinion delivered on 1  June 1983 (not yet published in  
the Oflicial Journal).Whereas it is important to promote balanced scientific 
and technical development -vithin the Community;
Whereas research, development and demonstration 
activities (R, D and D) must be accompanied by 
adequate dissemination of the knowledge acquired by 
means of these activities and by effective use of ti t  
results obtained;
Whereas, at its meetings on 9 November 1981 an.I 8  
March and 30 June 1982, the Council affirmed the 
need to systemize and optimize Community action m  
the field of research, development and demonstration, 
having recognized that the strategic coherence of the 
Community’ s activities would be enhanced and the 
preparation and adoption of decisions tn the 
aforementioned field would be greatly facilitated by 
the adoption and regular review by the Community 
institutions of a framework programme containing 
broad indications for the medium-term development 
of scientific and technical objectives;
Whereas, at its meeting on 8  February 1983, the 
Council expressed a large measure of agreement on 
the need to increase Community expenditure on 
research and develr nent and on the proportionally 
larger share whic .  should be allotted to it m  
the Community’s  tw e.-td! budget, subject to funlui 
clarification of the budgetary implications;
Whereas, on 18 jure 1583, the European Council 
adopted the Decb... .on concerning the development 
of policies and n w  Community action, budgetary 
discipline, own resources and particular problems of 
certain Member States;
Whereas the Commission’ s  proposal concor.ing · ·  
first framework programme 1984 to 1987 seems likt t >  
to promote such a development of Community 
research, development and demonstration policy;
Whereas the Treaty establishing the European 
Community does not provide the specific powers of 
action required for the adoption of this r <  lunon,

No C 20o ' ’Official Journal of the European Communities4. 8. S 3
HEREBY ADOPTS THIS RESOLUTION:
Article I
The development ol a  common virategy in the field of 
science and technology shall take place on the terms 
laid down in this resolution and in accordance with 
the Communities’  other strategies and policies.
Article 2
The common strategy in the field of science and 
technology shall be defined in framework 
programmes setting out the scientific and technical 
objectives to be pursued at Community level together 
with selection criteria for Community action, relative 
priorities and financial indications.
These framework programmes shall be drawn up by 
the Commission in consultation with the Member 
States.
On the basis of the framework programmes, the 
Commission shall prepare proposals for specific 
research, development and demonstration activities 
which meet the objectives referred to in the first 
paragraph.
Article 3
The Council hereby approves the principle of 
framework programmes for periods of four years 
which will be reviewed at least every two years and 
revised i!  necessary.
On the basis of proposals submitted to this end by the 
Commission and after receiving the opinion of the 
European Parliament, the Council shall:
— approve the framework programmes,
— adopt, in accordance with the framework 
programmes approved and with the proceduresinstituted by the Treaties, specific decisions on the 
R, D and D activities of the Communities.
Article 4
The Council hereby approves ihr scientific and 
technical objectives for the period 1984 to 1987 and 
the selection criteria set out in Annexes I  and I I 
respectively.
The Council hereby confirms its agreement on the 
need to increase Community spending on R, D and 
D. While bearing in mind the need to frame 
Community poliues, but awaiting the olittome of the 
general discussion on the Communities’  resources and 
policies, for the time being the Council takes note of 
the financial indications relating to the objectives to 
be attained in the period 1984 to 1987 (Annex ill). 
These indications are to serve as a guide for 
Commission planning and the adoption by the 
Council of specific R, D and D activities during that 
period.
These objectives and criteria, on the one hand, and 
these financial indications, which still have to be 
defined, on the other, shall constitute the elements on 
which implementation of the 1984 to 1987 fiamewoix 
programme w ill be based.
The planning and adoption of programmes w ill ol 
course take account of financial consiraints.
At tick- i
In 1985 at the latest, the 1984 to 1987 li.unew.· . .  
programme will be reviewed on the basis "I ‘  
Commission proposal and conclusions drawn lion 
the experience gained from this first framcwoik 
programme, with a view to evaluating its cftcctivc-iu v >  
and improving its underlying approach.
This review mav result m revision of the fust 
framework progr nme.
ANNEX 1
Scientific and technical objective« 
(1984 to 1987)
I. Promoting agricultural iumpemivencss:
— developing agiiculmral productivity and improving products:
— agriculture,
— fisheries.

4. 8.(13 Official Journal of the I'.uropcan Communiiics No C 208/3
2 . Promoting industrial competitiveness:
— rem oving and reducing barriers,
— new techniques and product· for the traditional industries,
— new  technologies.
3 . Improving the management of raw m aterials.
4. Improving the management of c icrgy resources:
— developing nuclear fission energy,
— controlled thermonuclear fusion,
— developing renewable energy sources,
— rational use of energy.
5 . Stepping up development aid.
6. Improving living and working conditions:
— improving safety and protecting health,
— protecting the environment.
7 . Improving the effectiveness of the Community's scientific and technical potential, 
horizontal action.
ANNEX 11
Selection criteria
In general, when selecting Community activities on the basis of the scientific and technical 
objectives adopted, special attention should be given after assessm ent of their scientific anti technical 
values to activities which contribute to the definition or implementation of Community policies.
In  these fields, Community action tan be justified where i t  presents advantages (added value) in  the 
short, medium or long term from the point of view  of efficiency and financing or from the scientific 
a'id technical point of view  as compared w ill»  national activities (public or private)
More specifically, Community actic n  can be justified in  the following cases.
— research on a  very large scale for which the individual Member States could not, or could only 
with difficulty, provide the necessary finance and personnel,
— research, the joint execution of which would offer obvious financial benc .u, even after taking 
account of the extra costs inherent in  a ll international cooperation,
— research which, because of the complemcniary nature of work being dc ■  ationally in  pan of a  
given field, enables significant results to be obtained in  the Communu :  . a  whole for the case 
of problems whose solution requires research on a large scale, particularly gcogrup uca ,
— research which helps to strengthen die cohesion of the common market and to unify the 
liuropcan scientific tnd technical area and research leading, where the need is  fell, to H ie  
establishment of unit » rm  standards.

N o C 2C H  '4 Official Journal of the European Communities 4. 8. 83
A N N E X  I II
Financial indications by objectives  
(1984 to 1987)
1 . Promoting agricultural competitiveness:
— developing agricultural productivity and improving 
products:
— agriculture
— fisheries
2 . Promoting industrial competitiveness:
— removing and reducing barriers
— new techniques and products for the traditional indus­
tries
— new technologies
3 . Improving the management of raw m aterials
4 . Improving the management of energy resources:
— developing nuclear fission energy
— controlled thermonuclear fusion
— developing renewable energy sources
— rational use of energy
5 . Stepping up development aid
6. Improving living and working conditions:
— improving safety and protecting health
— protecting the environment
7. Improving the effectiveness of the Community’ s  scientific 
and technical potential:
horizontal action(million E C U  (*))  
130
115
15
1 060 
30
350
680
80
1 770 
460 
480 
310 
520
150
385
190
195
«5
3 0
3 750(<*)
3,5
28,2
2,1
47,2
4.0
10.3
2.3 (')
2.4
100,0
f) At 1982 constant values.
C) Corresponds to 5 °/o by the end of the period.