EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 78/87

(2004/C 78 E/0085)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2187/03

by Sérgio Marques (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(30 June 2003)

Subject: Participation by the outermost regions in the RTD framework programmes

In its 2000 report on measures to implement Article 299(2) of the EC Treaty the Commission expressed support for the proposal put forward by the outermost regions in 1999 with a view to promoting strategic development areas and it emphasised the need for strategies to be developed which would enable the outermost regions to optimise their participation in the RTD framework programmes. In its October 2001 Communication on the Regional Dimension of the European Research Area the Commission also emphasised that its priority was to boost research, technological development and innovation strategy in those regions.

In recital 14 of the Sixth RTD Framework Programme it is stated that the participation of the outermost regions in Community RTD actions through appropriate mechanisms adapted to their particular situation should be facilitated. An identical provision is contained in recital 9 of the regulation laying down the rules for implementing the framework programme and in recitals 10 and 11 of the specific implementing programmes. In spite of this the EU has yet to take any action to put those recitals into practice, in terms of either scope or content.

Since promoting research, technological development, demonstration and innovation in the outermost regions is of major importance as a means of furthering those regions' active participation in the activities of the European Research Area, would the Commission answer the following questions:

1. When and how does the Commission intend to facilitate effective, active participation by the outermost regions in the Sixth RTD Framework Programme?

2. Technical assistance in the presentation of projects, support for the formation of partnerships and the establishment of assessment criteria suited to the particular situation of the outermost regions are some of the requisite measures. What action is the Commission intending to take in this area?

Answer given by Mr Busquin on behalf of the Commission

(6 August 2003)

The Commission pays special attention to the participation of the outermost regions in the Research and Development Framework Programme. Strengthening links between researchers in these regions and European centres of excellence is mutually beneficial, as the outermost regions have climatic, geographical and geological conditions which are of major importance for European research.

Since the aim of the Framework Programme is to provide funding for the best European teams in terms of scientific excellence, the participation criteria for the outermost regions cannot be adapted in the way proposed by the Honourable Member. The Commission has, however, adopted a number of provisions which enable the participation of the outermost regions in the Research Framework Programme to be supported and optimised.

First of all, bodies in Objective 1 regions which are selected to participate in a Framework Programme project may now apply for supplementary funding under the Structural Funds. This new measure, which has been introduced for the Sixth Research Framework Programme, will in particular benefit those outermost regions which are all Objective 1 regions. The Member States have been informed about this possibility and asked to disseminate this information widely to the relevant regional teams.

More generally, support from the Structural Funds for the development of research infrastructure in the outermost regions helps to strengthen the scientific excellence of these regions, and therefore their ability to participate in the Research Framework Programme.

In addition, the Commission makes an active contribution to informing the outermost regions about ways in which they can participate in the Framework Programme. These were presented by the Commission at the last Conference of the Presidents of the outermost regions in La Palma. The Sixth Framework Programme (2002-2006) provides new opportunities for the outermost regions, in particular for the mobility of their researchers, with the budget available for mobility grants having been considerably increased, and for the coordination of national and regional research programmes through the new instrument to promote cooperation on and the coordination of research and innovation activities (ERA-NET).

Finally, the Commission has had a study carried out on the integration of the outermost regions into the European Research Area, which has led to a number of proposals to both the Commission and the national and regional authorities. The study has also led those involved to create a database on research capability in the outermost regions, which will help to provide a better understanding of the research potential of these regions and integrate them in research partnerships financed by the Framework Programme. The study and the database are available on the website www.erup.net, which will have a direct link to the new web portal on research in the regions established by the Commission.