A4-0456/98

Proposal for a Council Decision adopting a specific programme for research, technological development and demonstration on 'Promotion of innovation and encouragement of participation of SMEs¨ (1998 to 2002) (COM(98)0305 - C4-0438/98 - 98/0182(CNS))

The proposal was approved with the following amendments:

(Amendment 1)

Recital 8a(new)

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Whereas the Community policy on equal opportunities must be taken into account in the implementation of this programme;

(Amendment 2)

Article 2(1)(2) and (3)

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1. In accordance with Annex III to the fifth framework programme, the amount deemed necessary for carrying out the specific programme (hereinafter referred to as the amount) is ECU 350 million, including a maximum of 7,70% for the Commission's administrative expenditure.

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1.

In accordance with Annex III to the fifth framework programme, the amount deemed necessary for carrying out the specific programme (hereinafter referred to as the amount) is ECU 363 million, including a maximum of 7,70% for the Commission's administrative expenditure.

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2. An indicative breakdown of this amount is given in Annex I.

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Deleted

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3. Of this amount

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3.

Of this amount

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- ECU 73,8 million is for the period 1998 to 1999, and

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ECU 78 million is for the period 1998 to 1999, and

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- ECU 276,2 million is for the period 2000 to 2002.

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ECU 285 million is for the period 2000 to 2002.

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Where appropriate, the latter figure will be adapted in accordance with Article 3(3) of the fifth framework programme.

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Where appropriate, the latter figure will be adapted in accordance with Article

2 of the fifth framework programme.

(Amendment 3)

Article 5(1), 3rd subparagraph (new)

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The Commission shall publish the work programme and every updated version thereof in paper and electronic form (on the Internet).

(Amendment 4)

Article 5(2a)(new)

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2a All calls for tender for RTD will take into account the European Union's policies on equal opportunities.

(Amendment 5)

Article 7(1)

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1. The Programme Committee shall deliver its opinion on the measures referred to in Article 6(3) within a time limit which the Chairman may lay down according to the urgency of the matter. The opinion shall be delivered by the majority laid down in Article 148(2) of the Treaty in the case of decisions which the Council is required to adopt on a proposal from the Commission. The votes of the representatives of the Member States within the Committee shall be weighted in the manner set out in that Article. The Chairman shall not vote.

The Commission shall adopt the measures envisaged if they are in accordance with the opinion of the Committee.

If the measures envisaged are not in accordance with the opinion of the Committee, or if no opinion is delivered, the Commission shall, without delay, submit to the Council a proposal relating to the measures to be taken. The Council shall act by a qualified majority.

If, on expiry of a period of six weeks from the referral of the matter to the Council, the Council has not acted, the proposed measures shall be adopted by the Commission.

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1.

The Programme Committee shall deliver its opinion on the measures referred to in Article 6(3) within a time limit which the Chairman may lay down according to the urgency of the matter, if necessary by taking a vote.

The opinion shall be recorded in the minutes: in addition, each Member State shall have the right to ask to have its position recorded in the minutes.

The Commission shall take the utmost account of the opinion delivered by the Committee. It shall inform the Committee of the manner in which its opinion has been taken into account.

The Committee shall meet as a rule in public, unless a specific duly motivated decision is taken to the contrary and published in good time. It shall publish agendas two weeks in advance of its meetings (also on the Internet). It shall publish minutes of its meetings (also on the Internet). It shall establish a public register of declarations of interest by its members.

These provisions shall be adopted in accordance with the Parliament position on a new act laying down the principles governing European Union committees chaired by the Commission and the implementing powers of the Commission.

(Amendment 6)

Article 7(2)

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2. The Commission shall regularly inform the Programme Committee of progress with the implementation of the specific programme, and shall in particular provide it with information about the results of the evaluation and selection of the indirect RTD actions.

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2. Pursuant to Article 5(4) of the Framework Programme the Commission shall regularly inform the Council and the European Parliament as well as the Programme Committee of progress with the implementation of the specific programme, and shall in particular provide them with information about the results of the evaluation and selection of the indirect RTD actions - including the participation of SMEs - and the simplification of administrative procedures.

(Amendment 7)

Article 7a (new)

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Article 7a

Protection of the financial interests of the European Communities shall be guaranteed in accordance with Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 2988/95 on the protection of the European Communities financial interests(1)

(1)OJ L 312, 23.12.1995, p. 1.

(Amendment 8)

Annex I, Introduction, Strategic objective of the programme, 2nd paragraph

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This aim will be pursued by establishing a coherent innovation policy contributing towards the implementation of the first action plan for innovation, and by paying particular attention to SMEs and their participation in the fifth framework programme.

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This aim will be pursued by establishing a coherent innovation policy contributing towards the implementation of the first action plan for innovation, and by paying particular attention to SMEs and

encouraging and facilitating their participation in the fifth framework programme.

(Amendment 9)

Annex I, ACTIVITIES SPECIFIC TO THE HORIZONTAL PROGRAMME

(ii) Activities, 1st indent a (new)

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- Stimulating new approaches such as advanced brokerage services, e.g. on the Internet, involving all actors in technological innovation (providers, users as well as investors).

(Amendment 10)

Annex I, ACTIVITIES SPECIFIC TO THE HORIZONTAL PROGRAMME,

PROMOTION OF INNOVATION

(iii) Activities, 4th indent (new)

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- Reinforcement of specific programmes of training executives in management with special emphasis on the procedure and the diffusion of innovation (in particular concerning the financing, setting-up and development of innovative businesses, and protection and transfer of technology).

(Amendment 11)

Annex I

ACTIVITIES SPECIFIC TO THE HORIZONTAL PROGRAMME,

ENCOURAGING SME PARTICIPATION

(ii) Activities, 2nd indent

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- Assistance for SMEs supplementing that provided directly by the local networks and the thematic programmes.

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Assistance for SMEs supplementing that provided directly by the local networks and the thematic programmes, with special emphasis on the management of companies.

(Amendment 12)

Annex I

ACTIVITIES SPECIFIC TO THE HORIZONTAL PROGRAMME,

ENCOURAGING SME PARTICIPATION,

(iii) Objective

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The aim is to help SMEs to identify their needs and anticipate technological trends, and to direct them towards Community instruments in particular which will enable them to do so.

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The aim is to help SMEs to identify their needs and anticipate technological

andbusiness trends, and to direct them towards Community instruments in particular which will enable them to do so.

(Amendment 13)

Annex I

ACTIVITIES SPECIFIC TO THE HORIZONTAL PROGRAMME,

ENCOURAGING SME PARTICIPATION,

(iii) Activities (heading)

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Activities(in liaison with the IPTS)

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Activities

(Amendment 14)

Annex I,

ACTIVITIES SPECIFIC TO THE HORIZONTAL PROGRAMME,

ENCOURAGING SME PARTICIPATION,

(iii) Activities, 2nd indent

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- Making this information available to SMEs using the existing information networks and services.

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Making this information available to SMEs using the existing information networks and services, as well as new electronic services on the Internet.

(Amendment 15)

Annex I,

ACTIVITIES SPECIFIC TO THE HORIZONTAL PROGRAMME,

JOINT INNOVATION/SMEs ACTIVITIES

(i) Activities, third indent

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- Support for the dissemination and exploitation of the results of Community research activities, e.g. by organising "technology fairs¨.

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Support for the dissemination and exploitation of the results of Community research activities, e.g. by organising "technology fairs¨ and tailor-made management programmes.

(Amendment 16)

Annex I,

ACTIVITIES SPECIFIC TO THE HORIZONTAL PROGRAMME,

JOINT INNOVATION/SMEs ACTIVITIES

(ii) Objectives

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The aim is to group together and encourage the dissemination, in the context of a joint information service, of all the data needed to publicise more effectively research and innovation activities, the procedures for carrying them out, and their results; to inform the general public about the socio-economic impact of innovation policies, and fuel the debate about the issues at stake where these policies are concerned, given the needs of individuals.

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The aim is to group together and encourage the dissemination, in the context of a joint information service, of all the data needed to publicise more effectively research and innovation activities, the procedures for carrying them out, and their results; to inform

the social partners and the general public about the socio-economic impact of innovation policies, and fuel the debate about the issues at stake where these policies are concerned, given the needs of individuals.

(Amendment 17)

Annex I,

ACTIVITIES SPECIFIC TO THE HORIZONTAL PROGRAMME,

JOINT INNOVATIONS/SMEs ACTIVITIES,

(iv) Activities, 3rd indent

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- Exchanges of experience with the players concerned in the Member States, and establishment of transnational networks involving private and public operators on specific projects, and carrying-out of pilot activities to try out new approaches (e.g. technology assessment, mobilisation of local capital, benchmarking of performances).

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Exchanges of experience with the players concerned in the Member States, the European Investment Fund (EIF), other financial operators and establishment of transnational networks involving private and public operators on specific projects, and carrying-out of pilot activities to try out and develop new approaches (e.g. technology assessment, technology rating, advanced technology brokerage services on the Internet, mobilisation of local capital, benchmarking of performances).

(Amendment 19)

Annex I

ACTIVITIES SPECIFIC TO THE HORIZONTAL PROGRAMME,

JOINT INNOVATION/SMEs ACTIVITIES

(iv) Activities, indent 3a (new)

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- Managerial training on the financing and diffusion of innovation, the management of risk and the management of risk capital.

Legislative resolution embodying Parliament's opinion on the proposal for a Council Decision adopting a specific programme for research, technological development and demonstration on 'Promotion of innovation and encouragement of participation of SMEs¨ (1998 to 2002) (COM(98)0305 - C4-0438/98 - 98/0182(CNS))(Consultation Procedure)

The European Parliament,

- having regard to the Commission proposal to the Council, COM(98)0305 - 98/0182(CNS), ((OJ C 260, 18.8.1998, p.75 ))

- having been consulted by the Council pursuant to Article 130i(4) of the EC Treaty (C4-0438/98),

- having regard to Rule 58 of its Rules of Procedure,

- having regard to the report of the Committee on Research, Technological Development and Energy and the opinions of the Committee on External Economic Relations, the Committee on Budgets, the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs, the Committee on Fisheries and the Committee on Women's Rights. (A4-0456/98),

1. Approves the Commission proposal, subject to Parliament's amendments;

2. Calls on the Commission to alter its proposal accordingly, pursuant to Article 189a (2) of the EC Treaty;

3. Asks to be consulted again should the Council intend to make substantial modifications to the Commission proposal;

4. Instructs its President to forward this opinion to the Council and Commission.