WRITTEN QUESTION E-3080/01 by Sérgio Marques (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Nuclear fusion under the Sixth Framework Programme.
Date: 2001-11-13
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EAEC, EU financing, EU programme, nuclear fusion

C 147 E/92

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

20.6.2002

(2002/C 147 E/097)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3080/01

by Sérgio Marques (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(13 November 2001)

Subject: Nuclear fusion under the Sixth Framework Programme

The Commission organised an informal meeting of Science and Technology Ministers on 19 January 2001
to discuss a paper on the future strategy for the European Fusion Programme. In accordance with the
Ministers’ majority view the Commission drew up a proposal for a Euratom programme for the Sixth
Framework Programme, in which the construction of ITER is the first priority for the Fusion Programme.

Since the paper presented by the Commission at the meeting of 19 January states that the European
Fusion Programme needs an allocation of EUR 850 million for options 3 and 4 (which envisage an
immediate start on the construction of ITER) and bearing in mind that the Commission’s proposal for the
Sixth Framework Programme suggests a budget of EUR 700 million, can the Commission say:

1. why the budget has been cut by EUR 150 m;

2. whether it considers that this cut, combined with the fact that EUR 200 m are earmarked for the
construction of ITER, will create problems for the success of the research essential for the operation of
ITER and jeopardise the European Union’s position as world leader in research into alternative
energies?

Answer given by Mr Busquin on behalf of the Commission

(21 December 2001)

In its proposal concerning the Sixth Euratom Framework Programme, the Commission confirmed the
‘reactor’ orientation of fusion energy research. In order to step up coordination in the framework of the
European Research Area, the Commission proposes to concentrate Community resources on joint projects
such as the ITER project, if it is decided to build it, or the use of JET.

The political agreement reached in the Research Council on 10 December 2001, bringing to € 750 million
the financial amount for fusion for the period 2002-2006, will make it possible to achieve these objectives
without calling into question the EU’s role with regard to fusion. The Commission considers that the
Member States should bear a larger proportion of the costs of the activities specific to the national fusion
associations which are less integrated than the activities at European level.

Depending on the timetable for the completion of ITER, part of the € 200 million earmarked for this
project in the proposal could fund joint research activities such as the use of JET in order to prepare for
the implementation of ITER.

(2002/C 147 E/098)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3083/01

by Marialiese Flemming (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(30 October 2001)

Subject: European safety standards and protective measures for nuclear power stations

What steps has the Commission taken hitherto to draft common European safety standards for nuclear
power stations which would apply in all the Member States of the European Union?