WRITTEN QUESTION E-4021/03 by Ilda Figueiredo (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Support for research in Portugal.
Date: 2004-01-09
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Community support framework, EU aid, Portugal, economic support, operational programme, research and development, research project

C 84 E/132

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

3.4.2004

redevelopment, involving reduced pressures on green-field development and urban sprawl’. Interreg has
offered similar opportunities. The future Thematic Strategy on the Urban Environment could also include
recommendations for the Member States to promote the rehabilitation of brownfield sites which might
imply their remediation, if these are found to be contaminated, before their redevelopment.

(1) Council Directive 75/442/EEC of 15 July 1975 on waste, OJ L 194, 25.7.1975, as amended by Council Directive

91/156/EEC of 18 March 1991 amending Directive 75/442/EEC on waste, OJ L 78, 26.3.1991.

(2) Commission Communication concerning the Structural Funds and their coordination with the Cohesion Fund.

Guidelines for programmes in the period 2000 to 2006, OJ C 267, 22.9.1999.

(2004/C 84 E/0169)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-4021/03

by Ilda Figueiredo (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(9 January 2004)

Subject: Support for research in Portugal

The Operational Plan for Science, Technology and Innovation is the main source of funding for R & D
projects in Portugal, with 50 % of the relevant funds coming from the Community.

However, the Portuguese institutions and centres which depend on the regular receipt of funds for R & D
projects approved by the Foundation for Science and Technology are currently experiencing severe
problems, as the Community funds concerned have not been transferred. The situation is serious, in view
of the very considerable needs of research projects in Portugal.

Can the Commission state:

1. what forms of support for R & D have been earmarked for Portugal under the third Community

support framework and the existing Community programmes?

2. what delays have occurred in the transfer of funds, and why?

3. what measures are being considered to support research projects and the relevant investment in

Portugal?

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(2 March 2004)

In the context of the Third Community Support Framework (CSF), support for Research and Development
(R & D) in Portugal is mainly provided by the Science, Technology, Innovation Operational Programme
(POCTI) and, to a lesser extent, by the Information Society Operational Programme (POSI).

Following national and Community audits, which identified certain irregularities in the management of the
POCTI programme, the Portuguese authorities have decided to suspend the certification of payments to be
presented to the Commission under this programme until appropriate corrective action has been taken.

Given the importance of research in the context of regional development, the Portuguese authorities and
the Commission are (cid:1) in the framework of the mid-term review of the Portuguese Community Support
Framework (cid:1) currently discussing possible modifications aiming at strengthening the innovation aspects
of the CSF.

Outside the context of the CSF, R & D can also be financed through the Research and Technological
Development (RTD) Framework Programmes. The funds for the framework Programmes are not allocated
by Member State and are subject to competitive tenders.