ARCHIVES HISTORIQUES 
DE LA COMMISSION 
 
 
 
COLLECTION RELIEE DES 
DOCUMENTS "COM" 
 
 
 
 
COM (85) 530 
 
 
 
Vol. 1985/0 196 
  
 
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
C 0 M C 8 5 )  5 3 0  final 
Brussels, 30 Septem ber 1 9 8 5
Implementation of the Com m ission's M e m o ra n d u m  
" T O W A R D S  A  E U R O P E A N  T E C H N O L O G I C A L  C O M M U N I T Y "
(C om m unication of the C om m ission to the Council)
C 0 M C 8 5 )  5 3 0  final

T A B L E  O F  C O N T E N T S
I. I N T R O D U C T I O N
II. G E N E R A L  A C T I O N  P L A N
1. Definition of the n e w  F ram ew ork P rogram m e 1987-91
2. Activities to b e considered
III. T H E  C O M M U N I T Y  D I M E N S I O N  :  T H E  C O O R P O R A T I V E  E N V I R O N M E N T
IV . L I N K S  B E T W E E N  C O M M U N I T Y  A C T IV IT IE S  A N D  E U R E K A  A N D  R E L A T I O N S  W I T H  
E U R O P E A N  N O N - M E M B E R  S T A T E S
V . O R G A N I S A T I O N  O F  T H E  A C T IV IT IE S  :  T H E  IN S T IT U T IO N A L  A S P E C T S  A N D  F I N A N C I N G
V I. C O N C L U S I O N S

Introduction
T h e  aim  of m aking Europe powerful, present and competitive o n  the 
world scene cannot be divorced from  that of equipping her with a  
dynam ic scientific and technological system that will m a k e  for 
balanced development in all areas of vital interest to her (agri­
culture, industry, n e w  technologies, the preservation and improve­
m ent of h u m a n  environments, health, safety, etc).
In order to attain this dual aim, the only suitable response is a  
general industrial R & D  strategy m aking it possible - through broad 
political analysis and decision - to maintain the necessary balances 
between different measures and investments.
In this connection, although they sometimes adopt different approaches
that vary in scope or ambition, the studies conducted b y  the C om m ission
(1)of the European Com m unities and the discussions held and positions
adopted b y  the European Council,^ the European Parliament ^  and
representatives of the 1 7  European countries at the recent European
(4)Technology Conference in Paris are all based on similar findings, 
reach similar conclusions and clearly indicate the consensus reached, 
nam ely that it is necessary to establish a  scientific and technolo­
gical com m unity open to all European countries.
T h e European Council in M ilan endorsed the Commission's report entitled 
"Towards a  Technology C om m unity" (C 0M (85)350 final), w hich n o w  has to 
be put into effect.
(1) Communications from  the C om m ission to the European Council
entitled "Strengthening the Technological B ase and Competitive­
ness of C om m unity Industry" (C 0M (85)350 final)
(2) Conclusions of the European Councils of 29-30 M arch  and 28-29 June 1 9 8 5
(3) Resolutions of the European Parliament of 1 3  June and 9  July 1 9 8 5
(4) Conclusions of the European Technology Conference of 1 7  July 1 9 8 5

-  2 -
T h e  m e m o ra n d u m  proposes that a  n e w  overall scientific and technical 
program m e for the C o m m u n ity  should be draw n up and put into effect 
without delay, together with accompanying measures defined in the 
Commission's W hite Paper on the completion.of the.internal market 
and promotion of cooperation between European industrial firms.
T h e  establishment of the European science and technology com m unity 
should, in the Commission's opinion, be m arked by an aggressive 
strategy, a  qualitative leap and an acceleration and intensifica­
tion of efforts.
In the next five years an intensive R D & D  effort in a  variety of 
fields will have to be deployed in Europe. Stronger national 
policies, an expanded c o m m o n  policy and num erous cooperation 
projects ( E U R E K A , C O S T , etc) can and m ust contribute towards the 
achievement of this aim.
A n  overall strategy, ensuring that these various currents of development 
are both consistent and convergent, m ust be w orked out to serve as a  
guide to action towards achieving the European scientific and 
technological C om m unity.
T h e  necessary qualitative leap is n o w  possible. O n  a  political 
level, the success encountered b y the E U R E K A  initiative and the 
support given b y  the M e m b e r States and industry to C om m u n ity  tech­
nological program m es sh o w  that European awareness exists. T h e  
C o m m u n ity  has built up considerable scientific and technical assets 
in terms of both methods and action. T h e m a n y  schem es implemented 
in recent years, w hich have formed part of a  continuous training 
and integration process in Europe, have m a d e  it possible to esta­
blish a  European network linking together firms, universities and 
national research centres involved in increasingly num erous and 
diversified C om m unity R ,D & D  program m es and activities.
T h e success of the E S P R IT  P rogram m e and of the recent calls for 
proposals in connection with the B R IT E , stimulation, biotechnology 
and n e w  energy sources program m es also demonstrates the ever- 
increasing interest aroused by C om m unity action, in w hich both 
industry and the scientific com m unity are taking an active part 
and for w hich they are conducting w ork of a  high standard.

- 3  -
T h e  m em o ran d u m  entitled "Tow ards a  European Technological C om m unity"
(C 0M (85)350 final) clearly indicated the objectives to be attained;
practically speaking, w hat should be done n o w  is:
- to w ork, in conjunction with all the partners concerned (M e m b e r 
States, European non-m em ber countries, industry and other European 
S/T  organisations) .towards the identification of c o m m o n  objectives 
to be pursued b y  confirming, adjusting or broadening the objec­
tives already set for the period 1984-87 and to establish priorities 
for the n e w  Fram ew ork program m e (1987-91);
- to modulate and specify the actions and activities to be developed 
or undertaken (generic sciences and technologies, strategic 
programmes, large facilities and schem es for creating a  
Researchers' Europe);
- to ensure consistency between national activities and different 
types of action conducted at different levels and in different 
contexts;
to complete the internal market and improve the innovation process;
- to modify the institutional structure in order to speed u p  the 
Community's excessively slow decision-making procedures;
- to decide o n the financial com m itm ent needed in the m ed iu m  term 
for the planning of activities on a  scale com m ensurate with the 
objectives to be attained.

- 4 -
II General Action Plan
In July 1983 the Council decided to implement the Com m unity's scientific 
and technical strategy b y  m eans of multiannual fram ework programmes.
T h e  C om m ission n o w  considers that the review of the 1984-87 F ram ew ork 
Program m e, planned for 1986, should be carried out speedily so as to 
ensure that a  second Fram ew ork Program m e for 1987-91, representing the 
qualitative leap heralded in the communication entitled "Tow ards a  
European Technology C om m unity", is draw n up and adopted without delay.
1. Definition of the n e w  F ram ew ork Program m e 1987-91
T h e collection of information for this second Fram ew ork P rogram m e 
has already been started (in particular during the exercise for 
the comparison of national and C om m u n ity  R & D  policies - C O P O L  85 - 
organised by the C om m ission together with C R E S T )  and its preparation 
will therefore be continued forthwith in close cooperation with the 
M e m b e r States, due consideration being given to all the recent European 
measures in the area of science and technology.
Initial studies indicate that the goals and objectives identified 
in 1983 are still largely valid but a  n e w  balance should be struck 
and the advisability of introducing certain n e w  topics should be 
discussed.
O ver and above the topics already covered in current projects o n  
information technology, industrial technologies or biotechnology, 
for example, all of w hich will have to be expanded, it is nec­
essary to launch or intensify research in areas such as the use of 
space, marine sciences and technologies or transport engineering and 
to improve services, infrastructures and communications in the 
C o m m u n i ty.

- 5  -
H ere experience has sh o w n  the need for flexibility in developing 
those activities; instruments have gradually been adapted to m eet 
this need.
It m ust be m a d e  clear that in implementing C o m m u n ity  R D & D  program m es 
and activities the C o m m u n ity  does not intend to cover all the require­
m ents central to the attainment of these objectives. In its view, 
w here national or multilateral program m es and activities capable 
of meeting these objectives already exists there is n o  need to develop 
n e w  measures at C om m unity level. T h e  C o m m u n ity  does not wish to 
usurp national authorities in the m anagem ent and implementation of 
these activities but it does believe that, in the Light of their 
value to the C om m unity, the coordinated planning of these program mes 
is necessary to achieve the objectives of the scientific and 
technological com m unity. This approach w ould enable the C om m ission 
to carry out to the full the task given it b y  the Council of co­
ordinating national scientific research and technological develop­
m ent policies.
A t the end of 1985 the C om m ission will put forward the m ain guidelines 
for the n e w  framework program m e so that in February 1986 the Council 
m a y  hold an initial discussion o n  these guidelines and the m ain 
activities stem m ing from  them. T h e  C om m ission wilt then submit its 
proposals in July 1986 so that the Council can decide o n  the n e w  
framework program m e be ore the end of 1986.
2. Activities to be considered
A m ongst the activities to be considered in order to attain the 
planned objectives, the C om m ission has identified the following 
topics on w hich proposals will b e m ad e in 1986 and early in 1987.

-  6 -
Information Technologies
Activities m ust be continued and stepped u p  in the areas of micro­
electronics, software engineering, advanced information processing, 
including high-capacity computers and artificial intelligence, 
and also in major applications sectors such as computer-integrated 
manufacturing and office automation, possibly together with so m e  
aspects of consum er electronics. W ith the E S P R IT  program m e in its 
second year, almost all the R & D  fields and subjects are n o w  covered 
b y so m e  180 contracts n o w  involving 1300 researchers and engineers. 
A s  a  result of the drive towards cooperation created b y  the 
participation, alongside the major manufacturers, of sm al-l and 
medium-sized firms, universities and research centres, almost 
all the scheduled funds have already been earmarked.
It is n o w  essential to take advantage of this m o m e n tu m  by rapidly 
evaluating the progress m ad e and endeavouring to consolidate it.
T h e  C om m ission is therefore examining the adjustments to be proposed 
in respect of the m ain sections of the E S P R IT  program m e, the m anage­
m ent procedures and the operational arrangements, which, while 
preserving the precompetitive character of the activities, should 
m a k e  it possible to develop major target-oriented and demonstration 
projects.
T h e  review scheduled in the initial Council Decision is under w a y  
and its results will be available before the en d  of the year. 
Consultations and studies have been started on the preparation of a  
proposal for the second phase of E S P R IT  that should be referred 
to the Council in the first half of 1986.

- 7  -
T h e  biotechnologies will be the subject of several proposals:
one for the renewal of the medical research program m e 
involving the reorganization of the existing program m e running 
to the end of 1986 and n e w  projects such as research on A I D S  
and a  "cancer" coordination project in accordance with the 
decision taken at the M ilan S u m m it (see People's Europe);
a  review of the existing biotechnology program m e, for w hich an  
excellent response in terms of both quality and quantity w a s 
obtained to the call for proposals;
a  proposal o n the application of biotechnology to specific 
problems at the agriculture-industry interface.
These will be put before the Council in the first half of 1986,
Communications technologies relevant to both telecommunications 
and advanced transport techniques.
W ith regard to telecommunications, the Council adopted o n  2 5  July 
a  proposal concerning a  definition phase for the R A C E  Program m e.
This aim s to concentrate the research capacities in the telecommunica­
tions and information technology industries in the C om m unity, to­
gether with the R & D  facilities of the P T T  administrations, so as 
to set u p  the m ost advanced telecommunications services and 
systems in the m e d iu m  and long term.
T h e R A C E  program m e will be the outcom e of a  consensus reached 
o n  the basis of a  thorough analysis of the present situation and 
future requirements to be conducted by telecommunications administra­
tions and industry. This consensus will be w orked out during 
the 1 8  m onths of the definition phase.

-  8 -
In the Light of the results obtained during that phase, the 
C om m ission will submit proposals on the m ain R A C E  program m e in 
the first half of 1987.
A s  for advanced transport techniques, the Com m ission:
- is preparing an R & D  program m e o n  transport with a  view  to 
improving competitiveness in this sector, promoting energy 
savings, increasing safety and limiting adverse effects on the 
environment. This program m e concerns the road, air, sea and 
rail sectors and will be proposed by the C om m ission in m id  1986;
- is analysing the possibility of applying information and 
telecommunications technologies to road transport in order to 
improve road safety, traffic m anagem ent and mobile communication. 
B y  the middle of 1986 an investigation will have been m a d e  of 
the requirements involved and activities to be undertaken, 
resulting b y the beginning of 1987 in a  formal proposal follow­
ing consultations;
- is launching studies and will begin consultations concerning 
aviation development in order to pinpont the specific areas of 
technology in w hich a  C om m unity project w ould be both useful 
and necessary.
T h e  use of space
B eyond space technology as such, this heading covers three broad 
areas of technology: telecommunications (already discussed), remote 
sensing and industrial applications.

- 9  -
C o m m u n ity  research m akes use of and promotes the use of rem ote 
sensing techniques in the fields of remote-sensing of resources, 
surveillance and protecion of the environment and land use both 
within the C om m u n ity  and for the benefit of the developing countries.
A n  analysis of requirements in this sector is currently being 
carried out and could lead in 1986 to a  proposal to expand C o m m u n ity  
projects.
Furthermore, the industrial applications of the results of microgravity 
experiments are being studied with special reference to biotechnologies 
and materials.
T h e  C om m u n ity  projects could basically serve to promote a  network 
of users of space technologies and a  land-based infrastructure.
This role w ould be complementary to that of the E S A , geared 
essentially to the development of the space sector.
M arine sciences and technologies
This subject, covering a  w ide range of activities at national,
C om m u n ity  and international level, is n o w  being studied with 
a  view  to analysing the current situation and identifying R D & D  
requirements. In the light of the results expected in 1986, the 
C om m ission will if appropriate propose a  special effort to enable 
Europe to derive m a x im u m  benefit from  marine resources.
Industrial technologies
Basic technologies such as those being developed in the BRITE  
programme for the conventional industries and ESPRIT for information  
technology are useable and must be disseminated in numerous fields  
such as manufacturing industry or services (office automation,  
for example).
Here the BRITE programme, prepated in close cooperation with  
industry, is intended to stimulate cooperation by European industry  
in key technologies such as lasers, catalysis, assembly techniques,  
new materials, and computer-aided design and manufacturing.
In view of the excellent response by industry and the scientific  
world to the first call for proposals, the Commission intends to  
propose a review of the programme in 1986.

-  10  -
Education and training technologies
The Commission has explored the need for and the prospects of  
the use of advanced TIT to improve the technical tools required  
for learning at every stage in life. The DELTA programme contains  
R&D activities and covers the development of advanced systems  
cocnepts and prototypes so as to provide Europe with the  
sophisticated low-cost educational tools needed for distance  
learning. DELTA will use the results of ESPRIT and RACE. This  
programme will be proposed early-in-1986.
Lastly, il will be necessary to continue and accelerate the  
efforts aimed at the creation of the "Research scientists' Europe".
In view of the crucial importance of the Community's scientific  
and technical competitiveness, it would seem advisable to ensure  
the immediate and full-scale implementation of the Plan for stimulating  
cooperation and scientific and technical exchange in Europe, which  
should be supplemented by a series of measures representing a  
further step towards the creation of the Research scientists' Europe.
Thus, in addition to recommendations concerning the appropriate  
scale of the project for stimulating cooperation and scientific  
and technical exchange, the Commission will shortly be submitting  
to the Council two proposals relating to the implementation of  
measures designed to complement this activity. One concerns the  
retention of highly-qualified scientists in Europe and the  
provision of corresponding support (allowances and research grants).
The other is designed to ensure optimum utilization of the major  
scientific facilities available in Europe by enabling teams from  
other Member States to take advantage of existing under-used  
opportunities, at a particular site, on the basis of a minimum  
Community contribution to the operation costs of the installations  
concerned.

- lObis —
Similarly, the Commission has just announced a major Community  
action programme in education and training for technology  
(1986-1992), COMETT. This programme will be concerned with the  
promotion and establishment within the Community of close  
cooperation between universities and industy in an effort to ensure  
a better adaptation of primary and secondary education and the  
in-service training of workers to technological changes.
As part of this line of action, the Commission also intends to  
intensify its efforts to define ways and means of ensuring more  
favourable administrative and social conditions for the mobility  
of research workers.

T h e  C o m m u n ity  Dimension: the Corporate Environment.
T oday m ore than ever a  d y n a m i c  innovation capacity is essential.
A t a  time w h e n  a  considerable effort is to be put into consolidating
the technology community,it is therefore essential to strengthen the Innovation
C o m m u n ity  so as to ensure the survival and development of companies
o n  changing markets and to im prove the living conditions of m e n
and o m e n  dependent o n products and services that m a y  or m a y  not m atch
(1 )their requirements (the Italian IR IS initiative is directly relevant 
here).
It is clear that the Europeans d o  not have as good a  grip o n  the innovation 
process as their m ain trading partners. These are often m ore efficient 
in turning scientific and technical results into commercial successes not 
only o n  their o w n  marketplace but also o n  ours, which helps them  to re­
finance their R & D  and innovation w o rk  .
T h e  marketplace is an essential com ponent in innovation and the exploita­
tion of research results. H ere the continental dimension of the market 
is important since in effect the competitiveness of industry depends o n  
it. A s  is emphasised in the Commission's m em o ran d u m  to the European 
Council, although the C om m unity has an internal market of about the 
sa m e  size as those of Japan and the United States, its market is still 
compartmentalised.
This lack of competitiveness w a s in the forefront of the Commission's 
thinking w h e n  it put forward in M ilan a  general program m e for the completion of
the internal market w hich w as w elcom ed b y  the European Council .  
in Milan. This program m e contains activities essential to the develop­
m ent of research, the transfer of its results to the marketplace and 
cooperation between companies. T h e  timetable is in keeping with the 
objectives to b e  attained.
(1) IRIS; Institute for Research o n  Informatics applied to Society

-  12  -
O r i  the basis of the powers given it in the Treaty, the C o m m u n ity  has for 
2 8  years been working towards the achievement of the internal market; 
this has already ted to the rem oval of num erous barriers to trade, the 
establishment of cooperation arrangements for com panies and rules o n  
public procurement.
In M a y  1984 the Council approved a  standardisation policy both for 
traditional products and for information technology; i p ,  the latter field 
the Com m ission is endeavouring to give industry the benefit of c o m m o n  
standards based o n international standards.
This standardisation policy is also a  w a y  of opening u p  access to 
public contracts. There is no doubt that the opening-up of public procure—  
m ent to the whole C om m unity w ould help to provide support for n e w  
products. A t C om m unity level so m e  discipline has already been 
established and reinforces international rules b y  ensuring the trans­
parency of calls for tender and prohibiting any discrimination. T h e 
strengthening of this discipline is an objective that should g o  hand 
m hand with technological development and ensure full implementation 
of the recommendations on telecommunications.
Another factor that tends to wall off markets is the difference in 
national law s governing intellectual property. There is already the 
L uxem burg Convention on patents, the entry into force of w hich depends 
o n  three M e m b e r States. A w are of the special problems involved in 
protecting micro-circuits, biotechnology products and, in a  different 
w ay, software, the Com m ission has started w ork in cooperation with 
M e m b e r State experts with a  view  to drafting precise proposals in 
the months ahead.

- 1 3  -
It w as proposed as part of the E U R E K A  activities that a  Eurotype 
product warrant be created w hich w ould give European high-tech 
companies preferential treatment. It w ould be worth exploring the 
possibility of devising a  n e w  m ark  that w ould certify conformity 
with European standards and w ould therefore be a  proof of quality.
T h e  internal market also m ean s observing certain rules of the g am e. 
Competition policy and a  policy to promote high technology can pursue 
the sa m e objectives in so far as n e w  technologies bring about m ore 
competition (innovative competition through n e w  products and processes) 
and increased productivity. T h e C om m ission competition policy, 
therefore, is in favour of cooperation in R & D ,  specialisation, 
joint ventures and other m eans of promoting high technology.
T h e  C om m ission will take steps to use the pow ers entrusted to it 
b y  the treaties to create an environment w hich encourages the promotion 
of research and development, and will set d o w n  guidelines accordingly.
A n y  C o m m u n ity  schem e m ust also ensure the active participation b y  
small businesses in the European R & D  effort and see that countries 
at a  m e d iu m  level of scientific and technological development have 
access to major technological ventures.
T h e  C om m ission will set about implementing the measures necessary 
to achieve these objectives such as developing scientific and tech­
nical infrastructures and improving the training of R & D  personnel.
T h e instruments needed to carry out these various activities stem  
from  the Treaty and are therefore intended to establish a  preferential 
link between the M e m b e r States.

- 1 4  -
I V  L  - , nks between co m m unity activities and E U R E K A  and Relations with 
E urop ean non-m em ber states
A t its foreign affairs meeting o n  2 2  and 2 3  July 1 985 the Council,
"in response to the conclusions of the European Council in M ilan and 
taking into account the progress m a d e  b y  the ad h o c C om m ittee o n  
E U R E K A  o n  1 7  July in Paris, stressed the need to ensure coordination 
and cohesion between the w ork of this C om m ittee and the w o rk  to b e  
carried out at C om m unity Level to increase cooperation o n  technolo; 
i  r .  Europe".
T r .e  first E U R E K A  projects are n o w  being defined and all the countries 
that took part in the preparatory w o rk  for the H annover i  ntergovernment al 
conference agreed, together with the Presidency and the Com m ission, 
to pay close attention to ensuring this cohesion not only with C o m ­
munity projects but also with all European R & D  activities.
In the Commission's view  the E U R E K A  initiative is of considerable 
interest, to the extent that projects undertaken within this framework, 
and projects carried out in the C o m m u n ity  context rem ain com plem entary 
and are seen to b e so b y  industry, to w h o m  clear guidelines will need 
to b e given.
Thus, the C om m u n ity  will continue the development of major scientific 
and technological programmes in accordance with the objectives, criteria 
and priorities jointly laid d o w n  with the governments and industries 
of the M e m b e r States, the E U R E K A  projects being put into effect 
essentially o n the basis of specific initiatives of firms or research 
centres wishing to be involved. These firms will supervise the projects 
and in m ost cases will control their financing.

- 1 5  -
T h e  projects will generally concern subjects of advanced technology 
close to commercial application or meeting the needs of development of 
the European infrastructure and having transnational interest.
O n  this basis the C om m ission will exam ine together with the M e m b e r 
States, depending o n  the interest to the C o m m u n ity  of the E U R E K A  
projects w hich are adopted, possible C om m u n ity  participation in these 
projects.
T h e  C o m m u n ity  will, moreover, be able to contribute to the implementa­
tion of the E U R E K A  projects by seeing to the establishment of the 
large internal market (see above point) and by examining the possibility 
of m aking use of financial instruments such as the N C I  or the E IB .
Relations with European non-m em ber States
E U R E K A  projects give European non-m em ber states the chance to collaborate 
o n research and development program m es (on a  project-by-project basis) 
with those C o m m u n ity  countries taking part.
Furthermore, in line with the L uxem burg (1984) and Vienna (1985) political 
declarations, the C om m unity should be at pains to ensure that the other 
European countries are associated with its activities to an increasing 
extent. F or num erous reasons, it will be impossible to achieve a  
"scientific and technological Europe" as effectively as possible 
without their participation. T h e C om m ission has already, therefore, 
taken a  num ber of steps towards the attainment of this objective and 
is m aking active efforts to reinforce them  and to create special links 
(based o n  reciprocity) with a  num ber of countries.

- 1 6  -
S o  far a s  scientific a n d  tech n ical c o o p e ra tio n  is c o n c e rn e d , f r a m e w o r k  a g rre m e n ts  are sh o rtly  
to be concluded with S w ed en  and Switzerland; others are being negotiated 
with Finland and N o rw ay  and the C om m ission has held exploratory talks 
with Austria for the sa m e purpose.
Cooperation with non-Com m unity European countries within C O S T  - in 
progress since 1970 but not widely enough k n o w n  - has proved fruitful.
It has been instrumental in setting u p  a  vast scientific and technical 
cooperation network for the implementation of variable-geometry projects 
in w hich non-m em ber countries are associated with the C om m unity.
In fact, u p  to n o w  so m e 5 5  cooperation projects have been undertaken 
in the C O S T  framework in fields as varied as transport, telecommunication, 
the environment, oceanography, etc.
T h e C om m ission is taking an active part in the current discussions 
with European non-m em ber countries concerning the future of C O S T  
cooperation w hich m ust be preserved and developed o n the basis of 
the priority objectives established at European level.

- 1 7  -
Organisation of the Activities: the institutional Aspects and financing
T h e  implementation of the European science and technology strategy o n  
its n e w  scale should not raise any fundamental problem.
T here is a  variety of m ethods b y  w hich C o m m u n ity  R & D  actions are implem ented 
nowadays. Particularly noteworthy are projects carried out directly b y  
C o m m u n ity  laboratories and centres (direct action), those w here the 
expense involved is shared with outside companies and laboratories 
(shared cost action), national program m es w here the C om m ission has a  
coordinating role (concerted action), projects designed to promote 
scientific cooperation between researchers and laboratories (the Stimulation 
Action), the "Joint Undertakings", w hich currently exist in the nuclear 
field and finally "variable geometry" cooperation (including o n  the 
one hand supplementary E U R A T O M  and E E C  treaty program m es and o n  the other 
C O S T  actions w hich involve non-m em ber States). This list of support 
m ethods could be built on and supplemented b y  n e w  ones answering to the 
needs of the European Technological C om m unity.
T hus further m ethods could c o m e  to be defined, and in particular :  
joint undertakings, minority holdings, the creation of specialised 
agencies, the creation of multilateral associations (like the Airbus 
consort i  u rn ).
S uch an overall structure might m ak e it possible, in a  situation w here 
there is broadly m ore flexibility, to evolve a  large-scale European 
science and technology strategy defined and adopted b y  political 
agreement, combining for the benefit of all the participant states 
the advantages of joint action and "variable-geometry" projects.
1. Institutional aspects
O n e  fundamental question remains, however. This concerns the rule 
that there m ust be unanimity in C om m unity scientific and technical 
decisions, a  rule w hich m a y  prove a  major obstacle, leading to 
paralysis.
T h e  establishment of a  scientific and technological com m unity open to 
all European countries and "so designed as to allow M e m b e r States 
to reserve or restrict their participation to certain program m es 
only" ^  of itself m eans that there will have to be institutional 
changes at C om m u n ity  level.
’ · — 1 --- rnmmi ini tv" (COMTBSi^SO final)

- 1 8  -
Proposals for changes to the Treaty have recently been m a d e  b y  
the C om m ission and are already being examined with the M e m b e r  
States (Dondelinger group).
T hey are designed in parti cuiar to simplify and speed u p  C o m m u n ity  
decision-making procedures in the field of scientific research and 
technological development, w hich are currently subject to the 
unanimity rule.
T h e  C om m ission believes that C om m u n ity  agreement o n these changes 
is essential and is one of the keys to the effective establishment 
of a  European scientific and technological com m unity.
T h e  financing of C om m unity Actions
Implementing the strategies outlined in this docum ent - indispensable 
to maintaining Europe's competitiveness in relation to its m ain 
competitors in world markets - will call for substantial financial 
resources.
A t both national and C om m unity level, the required support for 
scientific cooperation projects, whether industrial or intergovern­
mental, calls for resources commensurate with those that are or 
will b e allocated by the m ain industrial pow ers involved in the 
present tidal w av e of competition through innovation. T h e  United 
States has firmly set its sights at a  very high level.
A w a re  of this situation, the European Council has already acknowledged 
the need for a  significant increase in C om m u n ity  R D & D  funding at 
successive meetings held since June 1983.
This clear political stance should n o w  be translated into solid 
guidelines, the indispensable basis of any realistic m edium - 
term financial planning, w hich is in itself an essential precondition 
to the establishment of the European Technological C om m unity.

- 1 9  -
V  Conclusions
T h e  C om m ission asks the Council for its com m ents o n  this outline 
approach and in particular to reflect o n h o w  it m ight tackle the 
financial problems before the end of the year so that this approach m ight 
be implemented.