WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3524/98 by Amedeo AMADEO Ways and means of strengthening the networks for the provision of information on and exploitation of applied RTD programmes in Europe
Date: 1998-11-25
Institutions: AMADEO, European Parliament
Subjects: EU programme, Structural Funds, action programme, aid system, information network, principle of subsidiarity, research and development, school-industry relations, small and medium-sized enterprises

6.11.1999

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 320/53

However, since Parliament has not yet finished considering the proposal, the Commission feels that it is too
early at the moment to state an opinion on the honourable Member’s concerns. The Commission therefore
suggests that he direct any proposals relating to the current discussion to Parliament.

(1999/C 320/070)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3524/98

by Amedeo Amadeo (NI) to the Commission

(25 November 1998)

Subject: Ways and means of strengthening the networks for the provision of information on and exploitation

of applied RTD programmes in Europe

With regard to the question of ways and means of strengthening the networks for the provision of information
on and exploitation of applied RTD programmes in Europe (CES 965/98), can the Commission’s services
submit a communication laying down an overall strategy for networks providing information, exploitation
and back-up in RTD and innovation bearing in mind that this strategy should embrace the rationalisation of
existing mechanisms and incorporate a number of different European policies?

Within the context of this overall strategy, it is recommended that existing mechanisms (Fifth Framework RTD
programme, Structural Funds, educational and training programmes, SME programmes etc.) be used to help
specialised support networks in promoting the principle of mediation. The aim of such mediation networks
would be to promote strategies for linkages between enterprises, further interaction between enterprises,
research and universities, encourage the monitoring of technological developments, advance economic
intelligence and promote project management (legal, financial, etc.).

(1999/C 320/071)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3557/98

by Amedeo Amadeo (NI) to the Commission

(1 December 1998)

Subject: Ways and means of strengthening the networks for the provision of information on, and exploitation

of, applied RTD programmes in Europe

With regard to the issue of ‘Ways and means of strengthening the networks for the provision of information
on, and exploitation of, applied RTD programmes in Europe’ (doc. CES 965/98) and with reference to the
Community back-up/information networks and networks for the exploitation of RTD findings, can the
Commission take steps to improve coordination and to ensure that the two types of network remain
complementary?

The Commission must incorporate these networks in a broader mechanism of support for mediation and must
gear them exclusively to meeting the needs of users rather than to furthering their own policy objectives.

Joint answer
to Written Questions E-3524/98 and E-3557/98
given by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the Commission

(18 January 1999)

The Commission attaches great importance to the coordination and rationalisation of the information,
support and exploitation networks of the European research and technological development programmes
(RTD).

The fifth framework programme of research and technological development includes several initiatives to
coordinate and streamline the information and exploitation networks, taking particular account of user needs
and the networks’ mediation role. These initiatives will be implemented in partnership with the Member States
(subsidiarity principle), in order to maximise synergies at Community level.