A4-0089/99

Resolution on the communication from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament concerning scientific and technological research: a strategic part of the European Union's development cooperation with developing countries (COM(97)0174 - C4-0207/97)

The European Parliament,

- having regard to the communication from the Commission, COM(97)0174 - C4-0207/97,

- having regard to the report of the Committee on Research, Technological Development and Energy and the opinions of the Committee on External Economic Relations and the Committee on Development and Cooperation (A4-0089/99),

A. whereas scientific and technical research and innovation are the driving forces behind economic dynamism and a precondition for the sustainable development of developing countries,

B. whereas research and technology development can make a vital contribution to solving specific development problems in a great many areas of society and shaping individual living conditions and, in particular, help the developing countries solve their specific problems,

C. whereas the lack of financial and human resources in developing countries increases their dependency on the developed countries; whereas the ultimate aim of all cooperation in the field of research should be to build research capacities in the countries concerned,

D. whereas integration of the developing countries into the world economy is not possible without a substantial rise in the level of research and technology development in those countries,

E. whereas Union aid to developing countries must consist of financial transfers for the purpose of building autonomous research capacities (capacity building), technology transfers, exchanges and the bringing together of expertise and experience in the scientific and technical field to meet their priority needs,

F. whereas it is essential to define the priorities and conditions for the implementation of a European RTD strategy in relation to developing countries within the framework of a partnership and to create the practical and legal conditions for fruitful activity in the RTD sector in the European Union's partner countries, with private industry being involved as fully as possible,

G. whereas the research carried out in the developing countries must take account primarily of the development requirements of the societies concerned and lay particular emphasis on the development of technologies designed to use local resources in a sustainable manner,

H. whereas greater use needs to be made of 'frontline technologies' based on the technical and cultural capacities and resources of the local populations and on low-cost and easily disseminated technological inputs from outside,

I. whereas the sustainable development of developing countries must necessarily be based on the mobilisation and development of human resources; whereas education and training act as driving forces for the establishment of research capacities,

J. whereas the establishment of multinational research teams including researchers from developed and developing countries to work on similar problems is likely to foster forms of long-term cooperation and regional synergies,

K. whereas it is necessary to support access to and the dissemination of information at international level, especially through telematic databases for the promotion of research and, in particular, through the Internet,

L. whereas under the Fourth RDT Framework Programme only the INCO programme enabled genuine scientific and technical cooperation to be undertaken with the developing countries, since the possible access allowed to third countries for other Community RDT programmes failed to produce the anticipated results,

M. whereas the sustainable development of developing countries must primarily be based on the rational use of natural resources; whereas particular attention must be paid to local and global environmental challenges,

N. whereas there are substantial disparities in the developing countries between different research activities and sectors; whereas these disparities must be taken into account as a central element of any Community strategy for promoting research in the developing countries,

O. whereas assistance for the development of proper research capacities must involve improved coordination of the various Community, national and international instruments in this field,

P. whereas the developing countries may take part in the implementation of certain Community research programmes provided for by the Fifth RTD Framework Programme,

1. Welcomes the initial outline of the Community strategy for supporting research in developing countries and agrees with the Commission's analysis of the importance for development of the establishment of research capacities which address, locally and in a highly concrete way, the challenges which these countries face;

2. Considers that the priorities set and the areas of work outlined must clearly form part of an approach based on sustainable development;

3. Considers that emphasis should be placed on 'front-line technologies' (referred to previously in its resolution of 2 October 1997 ((OJ C 325, 27.10.1997, p. 28.)) on the Commission's Green Paper on relations between the European Union and the ACP countries on the eve of the 21st century - challenges and options for a new partnership and its resolution of 1 April 1998 ((OJ C 138, 4.5.1998, p. 108.)) on the communication from the Commission on the guidelines for the negotiation of new cooperation agreements with the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries) that is those which enable people to escape from poverty and begin a cumulative process of sustainable wealth creation and which cover, among other things, the areas of hygiene, water and the treatment and recycling of waste;

4. Considers, as the Commission does, that the principle of differentiation (according to which the differences between developing countries must be taken into account) must be a decisive factor and that the Commission, if necessary, should draw up, together with local and regional partners, differentiated rules and priorities for the various geographical regions and the fields concerned;

5. Considers that cooperation must enable priorities to be set which reflect the actual development needs of the societies concerned inter alia the terms of greater democracy and culture, assertion of human rights, improved living standards and the gradual introduction of market rules, and that research topics must be decided on with the development actors and not merely the political and administrative authorities;

6. Stresses that not only is the use of traditional know-how and local resources likely to lead to highly concrete solutions to problems relating to specific local requirements but that they are also likely to constitute sources of real innovation for research worldwide;

7. Stresses the need for care to be taken to ensure the dissemination and exploitation of research findings between research centres and possible operators (public and private) and places where these findings are implemented and exploited (economy, trade, etc.); care also needs to be taken to protect the results of research carried out in the DCs;

8. Supports the adoption of partnerships between the various actors involved as the guiding principle for the setting of priorities and programme management, but considers, nevertheless, that, although the pursuit of mutual interest must be the long-term aim of cooperation with developing countries, support for the establishment of an effective research infrastructure necessarily requires a substantial degree of assistance, and that consideration should be given to cultural conditions and the socio-economic effects of technology development, with civil society, particularly the social partners, being involved in good time;

9. Considers that the Commission should remain vigilant to the dynamism of some countries that are still classified as developing countries but are in fact emerging (Mercosur) and from time to time gradually change the model of cooperation from assistance to the pooling of resources;

10. Reiterates the proposal it made in its abovementioned resolution of 2 October 1997 for the establishment of a European Foundation for the long-term support of research laboratories in developing countries with a view to improving knowledge of the environments, resources and societies of those countries;

11. Considers that support provided on a long-term basis, particularly for multinational teams of researchers, rather than merely for ad hoc projects, can help to foster the partnership approach and develop long-term synergies, particularly at inter-regional level, and thereby avoid the danger of funds being spread too thinly;

12. Stresses that it is essential for the actors involved in research in the developing countries to be able to be fully integrated into and recognised by the international scientific community and that their mobility (training, exchanges etc) is essential for their active participation in the life of the scientific community;

13. Considers that the aim of research cooperation must be to contribute to building local research capacities and that, although it is possible to take advantage of the 'brain drain' by setting up networks of expatriate scientists, it is nevertheless desirable to make it more attractive for researchers to stay and to help those who wish to return to their country of origin to do so;

14. Stresses that access to information sources, in particular to international networks such as the Internet, is a prerequisite for the exchange of information and therefore the effectiveness of any strategy aimed at promoting research;

15. Stresses that the international rules on patents must in no circumstances block access to information nor undermine the benefits which these countries could obtain from the use of their resources;

16. Considers that care should be taken to avoid depleting the genetic and intellectual heritage of the DCs and to allow the local populations the full benefit of this heritage;

17. Considers furthermore that it can be worthwhile to define areas for priority action (e.g. agriculture, health, environment and especially water) which can then be clarified in the light of each zone's needs and resources;

18. Emphasises the urgency and the significance of health and hygiene issues in the developing countries and considers that Community scientific and technical cooperation must primarily deal with these problems on a local basis, with a view to ensuring fair access to medical treatment;

19. Stresses the importance of scientific research and technological innovation in establishing development processes based on the sustainable management and use of resources capable not merely of supporting economic activity but also reducing environmental damage caused by unsustainable industrialisation processes;

20. Stresses, in addition, that the management of energy sources is an essential factor in sustainable development and that energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy contribute to energy independence thereby boosting the economic and social stability of developing countries;

21. Considers that combating deforestation, the development of renewable energy sources and energy management are capable of playing a decisive role in the worldwide fight against the greenhouse effect and of becoming sources of substantial revenues for developing countries, particularly following the implementation of the 'flexibility instruments' (e.g. emission permits) provided for by the Kyoto process.

22. Stresses the decisive role of biodiversity, particularly in forest regions, as a scientific research resource, and the corresponding essential role of research in its preservation and in sustainable resource management;

23. Stresses that a substantial effort must be made to coordinate the various Community, national and international instruments; the Commission should strengthen the coordination of RTD cooperation internally between its DGs and externally, in which connection it should also promote coordination with the ministries of the Member States concerned;

24. Calls for the Commission to guarantee maximum flexibility in the financial instruments of RTD cooperation with developing countries. To this end the key cooperation action of the Fifth framework programme should be accompanied by other more voluntary proposals (such as Eureka and Cost);

25. Considers that it is desirable to improve the mobilisation of resources and, in particular, to consider how the Union can make full use of financial instruments, such as the EDF and the ALA and MEDA Regulations, which should devote additional funds to actions aimed at establishing structures for research and technological development in developing countries;

26. Is convinced that, given the complexity of the task (creation of the legal and material infrastructure and training of staff) and the gap to be made up, only long-term cooperation bringing together a variety of partners and exploring hitherto neglected sectors can offer the prospect of success; as cooperation has to be put on a broader basis and comprise more scientific sectors than in the past, more resources are to be provided, matched by more resources from our partners;

27. Considers that it is desirable to strengthen the specific programme for cooperation with developing countries under the Fifth RDT Framework Programme and to improve its legitimacy for developing countries through enhanced coordination with Community development policies, while ensuring that the thematic programmes make it easier for the developing countries to participate;

28. Stresses that awareness of the importance of RTD should be increased among the political authorities and that greater visibility and accessibility should be ensured for this sector among the general public;

29. Calls for the Commission to strengthen and guarantee coherence and coordination between the EU's foreign policy and RTD cooperation programmes with third countries, particularly developing countries, on the basis of solidarity with the poor countries but also the advantageousness of new potential markets;

30. Emphasises that particular attention must be systematically paid to transparency in the procedures under which appropriations are allocated and to the setting up of monitoring and control mechanisms;

31. Considers that in order to ensure the effective mobilisation of the financial instruments for public development aid in the implementation of the proposed strategy, a preliminary phase will rapidly need to be initiated in order to define national/regional frameworks for action with the willing countries/regions so as to found the operational basis of this strategy on a genuine political dialogue; regular evaluation of the results of public aid and of cooperation in the sector will be needed to measure its growing effectiveness and its genuine benefit to the populations concerned; the financing of the necessary studies, the launching of pilot activities and the implementation of the necessary coordinating measures both between the Commission and the Member States and between the EU and the DCs should be provided for by specifically topping up the existing budgetary heading for coordination and evaluation of development policies;

32. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Commission and Council, to the governments of the Member States and to the Union's development policy partners.