WRITTEN QUESTION E-2187/03 by Sérgio Marques (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Participation by the outermost regions in the RTD framework programmes.
Date: 2003-06-30
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU regional policy, EU research policy, Structural Funds, less-favoured region, peripheral region, research programme

27.3.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 78 E/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.

C 78 E/88

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

27.3.2004

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
these regions and integrate them in research partnerships financed by the Framework
potential of
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.

(2004/C 78 E/0086)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2191/03

by José Ribeiro e Castro (UEN) to the Commission

(2 July 2003)

Subject: Funding for the IRENE organisation

to other

In answer
and P-1436/03 (2)),
Mrs Diamantopoulou stated that the whole amount of appropriations under the new budget Item A-
3046 had been allocated to an organisation called IRENE and described the terms and conditions under
which this action had been taken. I need to gain a clearer understanding of the matter.

to the Commission (E-0344/03 (1)

recent questions

Can the Commission therefore say what Community subsidies or other type of financial support it granted
to IRENE, directly or indirectly, in the years 2000, 2001, 2002, and (cid:1) as far as is known (cid:1) 2003?
Specifically, what amounts were granted under what budget headings and/or Community programmes?

(1) OJ C 161 E, 10.7.2003, p. 211.
(2) OJ C 268 E, 7.11.2003, p. 198.

Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(14 August 2003)

According to the Commission’s databases on contracts, the following amounts have been committed to the
Irene organisation:

(cid:1) in 2001, an amount of EUR 36 402 under the STOP programme (budget heading B5-820);

(cid:1) in 2002, an amount of EUR 99 494,36 under budget heading B3-4105 (Preparatory measures
combating and preventing exclusion) and an amount of EUR 300 000 under budget heading A-3046
(Women’s organisations).