WRITTEN QUESTION E-0780/96 by Amedeo Amadeo (NI) to the Commission (1 April 1996)

Subject: Research and technological development

In order to boost the dissemination of research and technological development activities, action is needed to: promote a European framework of fiscal measures coordinated between the Member States, stimulate closer links between research and industry by creating a favourable legal framework and create new mechanisms to guarantee, in conjunction with the Commission's internal task forces, the feasibility of major industrial projects (the car of the future, the next-generation aeroplane, etc.).

It should be stressed that, for research and innovation to be effective, the following measures are also needed, within the framework of coordinated Community policies, in order to: protect the new multimedia technologies of the information society, make Community and national legislation more open, strengthen industrial policy for the benefit of SMEs by cutting back red tape and improving the regulatory and fiscal framework, establish procedures for the joint utilization of regional policy and research instruments, provide support for a training policy to adapt human resources to the new technologies and ensure the coordination of international cooperation on RTD with policies for economic links with third countries and development cooperation (joint programmes with Eastern Europe and the Mediterranean countries). What is the Commission's position on this?

Answer given by Mrs Cresson on behalf of the Commission (22 May 1996)

Article 130f of the EC Treaty establishes the objectives of the Community policy on research and technological development, which is implemented in the light of and in support of the other policies. As the Honourable Member has pointed out, the Commission has taken the initiative of setting up specific 'research/industry' task forces to promote exchanges between all the players (legislators, the scientific community and industry) and to mobilize expertise in order to better coordinate research activities.

The Commission is also intent on strengthening existing measures in order to better direct research efforts towards innovation. In addition to this, innovative capacity can be stepped up by the coordinated implementation of a number of policies. The Green Paper on Innovation, ((COM(95) 688. )) adopted by the Commission on 20 December 1995, proposes courses of action in areas relating to those mentioned by the Honourable Member, such as the protection of intellectual property rights for technologies linked to the information society, the simplification of administrative procedures, tax arrangements, continuing training and the regional or international dimension of innovation. Following consultation on the Green Paper, the Commission may draw up an action plan for submission to the other Institutions.

The Commission is also developing a special training programme for the management of small and medium-sized enterprises. In relation to this, the Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its answer to Written Question E-3190/95 by Mr Jorge Hernández Mollar. ((OJ C 161, 5.6.1996, p. 8. )) Furthermore, the recent Commission proposal regarding a multiannual programme (1997-2000) in favour of SMEs ((COM(96) 98 final. )) aims to improve the financial environment and, once adopted, will allow small-scale training activities to be launched.