European Parliament legislative resolution of 11 September 2018 on the proposal for a Council regulation on the Research and Training Programme of the European Atomic Energy Community (2019-2020) complementing the Horizon 2020 Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (COM(2017)0698 – C8-0009/2018 – 2017/0312(NLE))
Date: 2018-09-11
Institutions: Committee on Budgets, Committee on Industry, Research and Energy, Committee on Legal Affairs, European Parliament
Subjects: EAEC, EU financing, EU programme, Framework Programme for Research and Development, nuclear research, nuclear safety, nuclear technology, scientific cooperation, vocational training




C_2019433EN.01022801.xml










23.12.2019   


EN


Official Journal of the European Union


C 433/228






P8_TA(2018)0330
Euratom Programme complementing the Horizon 2020 Framework Programme *
European Parliament legislative resolution of 11 September 2018 on the proposal for a Council regulation on the Research and Training Programme of the European Atomic Energy Community (2019-2020) complementing the Horizon 2020 Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (COM(2017)0698 – C8-0009/2018 – 2017/0312(NLE))
(Consultation)
(2019/C 433/32)

The European Parliament,







—


having regard to the Commission proposal to the Council (COM(2017)0698),










—


having regard to Article 7 of the Treaty establishing the European Atomic Energy Community, pursuant to which the Council consulted Parliament (C8-0009/2018),










—


having regard to Rule 78c of its Rules of Procedure,










—


having regard to the report of the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (A8-0258/2018),












1.


Approves the Commission proposal as amended;












2.


Calls on the Commission to alter its proposal accordingly, in accordance with Article 293(2) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union and Article 106a of the Treaty establishing the European Atomic Energy Community;












3.


Calls on the Council to notify Parliament if it intends to depart from the text approved by Parliament;












4.


Asks the Council to consult Parliament again if it intends to substantially amend the Commission proposal;












5.


Instructs its President to forward its position to the Council and the Commission.





Amendment 1


Proposal for a regulation


Recital 4









Text proposed by the Commission



 



Amendment











(4)


In order to ensure continuity of nuclear research at Community level, it is necessary to establish the Research and Training Programme of the Community for the period from 1 January 2019 to 31 December 2020 (the ‘Euratom Programme’). The Euratom Programme should have the same objectives as the 2014-2018 Programme, support the same activities and use the same mode of implementation which proved to be efficient and appropriate for the purpose of achieving the programme's objectives.






 








(4)


In order to ensure continuity of nuclear research at Community level 
and achieve the objectives in this area
, it is necessary to establish the Research and Training Programme of the Community for the period from 1 January 2019 to 31 December 2020 (the ‘Euratom Programme’). The Euratom Programme should have the same objectives as the 2014-2018 Programme, support the same activities and use the same mode of implementation which proved to be efficient and appropriate for the purpose of achieving the programme's objectives.









Amendment 2


Proposal for a regulation


Recital 6









Text proposed by the Commission



 



Amendment











(6)


Notwithstanding the potential impact of nuclear energy on energy supply and economic development, severe nuclear accidents may endanger human health. Therefore, nuclear safety and, where appropriate, security aspects dealt with by the Joint Research Centre (the ‘JRC’) should be given the greatest possible attention in the Euratom Programme.






 








(6)


Notwithstanding the potential impact of nuclear energy on energy supply and economic development, severe nuclear accidents may endanger human health, 
as well as the environment, in the medium and long term
. Therefore, nuclear safety and, where appropriate, security aspects dealt with by the Joint Research Centre (the ‘JRC’) should be given the greatest possible attention in the Euratom Programme.









Amendment 3


Proposal for a regulation


Recital 7









Text proposed by the Commission



 



Amendment











(7)


The European Strategic Energy Technology Plan (the ‘SET Plan’), set out in the conclusions of the Council meeting of 28 February 2008 in Brussels, is accelerating the 
development of a portfolio of low carbon
 technologies. The European Council agreed, at its meeting on 4 February 2011, that the Union and its Member States would promote investment in renewables, and safe and sustainable low carbon technologies and would focus on implementing the technology priorities established in the SET Plan. Each Member State remains free to choose the type of technologies that it would support.






 








(7)


The European Strategic Energy Technology Plan (the ‘SET Plan’), set out in the conclusions of the Council meeting of 28 February 2008 in Brussels, is accelerating the 
innovation process in the field of European advanced low-carbon
 technologies. The European Council agreed, at its meeting on 4 February 2011, that the Union and its Member States would promote investment in renewables, and safe and sustainable low carbon technologies 
including nuclear power
 and would focus on implementing the technology priorities established in the SET Plan. 
Action 10 (nuclear) of the SET-Plan has as its goal: Maintaining a high level of safety of nuclear reactors and associated fuel cycles during operation and decommissioning, while improving their efficiency
. Each Member State remains free to choose the type of technologies that it would support.









Amendment 4


Proposal for a regulation


Recital 8









Text proposed by the Commission



 



Amendment











(8)


As all Member States have nuclear installations or make use of radioactive materials particularly for medical purposes, the Council has recognised, in the conclusions of its meeting in Brussels on 1 and 2 December 2008, the continuing need for skills in the nuclear field, in particular through appropriate education and training 
linked with research and coordinated at Community level
.






 








(8)


As all Member States have nuclear installations or make use of radioactive materials particularly for medical purposes, the Council has recognised, in the conclusions of its meeting in Brussels on 1 and 2 December 2008, the continuing need for skills in the nuclear field, in particular through appropriate education and training 
at all levels and proper coordination with European-level research projects
.









Amendment 5


Proposal for a regulation


Recital 9









Text proposed by the Commission



 



Amendment











(9)


While it is for each Member State to choose whether or not to make use of nuclear power, it is also acknowledged that nuclear 
energy
 plays 
different roles in different
 Member States.






 








(9)


While it is for each Member State to choose whether or not to make use of nuclear power, it is also acknowledged that nuclear 
research
 plays 
an important role in all
 Member States, 
not least in the field of human health
.









Amendment 6


Proposal for a regulation


Recital 11









Text proposed by the Commission



 



Amendment











(11)


For fusion to become a credible option for commercial energy production, it is, firstly, necessary to successfully complete, in a timely manner, the construction of ITER and start its operation. Secondly it is necessary to establish an ambitious, yet realistic roadmap towards the production of electricity by 2050. Reaching those goals requires the European fusion programme to be directed towards a joint programme of activities implementing this roadmap. In order to secure the achievements of on-going fusion research activities, as well as the long-term commitment of, and collaboration between, the fusion stakeholders, continuity of the Community's support should be ensured. A stronger focus should be placed primarily on the activities in support of ITER but also on the developments towards the demonstration reactor, including the stronger involvement, as appropriate, of the private sector. Such rationalisation and refocusing should be achieved without jeopardising the European leadership of the fusion scientific community.






 








(11)


For fusion to become a credible option for commercial energy production, it is, firstly, necessary to successfully complete, in a timely manner, the construction of ITER and start its operation 
and EURATOM Programme can make a significant contribution
. Secondly it is necessary to establish an ambitious, yet realistic roadmap towards the production of electricity by 2050. Reaching those goals requires the European fusion programme to be directed towards a joint programme of activities implementing this roadmap. In order to secure the achievements of on-going fusion research activities, as well as the long-term commitment of, and collaboration between, the fusion stakeholders, continuity of the Community's 
long-term
 support should be ensured. A stronger focus should be placed primarily on the activities in support of ITER but also on the developments towards the demonstration reactor, including the stronger involvement, as appropriate, of the private sector. Such rationalisation and refocusing should be achieved without jeopardising the European leadership of the fusion scientific community.









Amendment 7


Proposal for a regulation


Recital 12









Text proposed by the Commission



 



Amendment











(12)


The JRC should continue to provide independent customer-driven scientific and technological support for the formulation, development, implementation and monitoring of Community policies, in particular in the field of nuclear safety 
and
 security research and training. To optimize human resources and ensure no duplication of research in the Union, any new activity carried out by the JRC should be analysed to check its consistency with existing activities in the Member States. The security aspects of the Horizon 2020 Framework Programme should be limited to the direct actions of the JRC.






 








(12)


The JRC should continue to provide independent customer-driven scientific and technological support for the formulation, development, implementation and monitoring of Community policies, in particular in the field of nuclear safety, security, 
safeguards and non-proliferation
 research and training. To optimize human resources and ensure no duplication of research in the Union, any new activity carried out by the JRC should be analysed to check its consistency with existing activities in the Member States. The security aspects of the Horizon 2020 Framework Programme should be limited to the direct actions of the JRC.









Amendment 8


Proposal for a regulation


Recital 14









Text proposed by the Commission



 



Amendment











(14)


In the interest of all its Member States, the role of the Union is to develop a framework to support joint cutting-edge research, knowledge creation and knowledge preservation on nuclear fission technologies, with special emphasis on safety, security, radiation protection and non-proliferation. That requires independent scientific evidence, to which the JRC can make a key contribution. That has been recognised in the Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions, dated 6 October 2010, entitled ‘Europe 2020 Flagship Initiative Innovation Union’, in which the Commission stated its intention to strengthen scientific evidence for policy-making through the JRC. The JRC proposes to respond to that challenge by focusing its nuclear safety and security research on the Union's policy priorities.






 








(14)


In the interest of all its Member States, the role of the Union is to develop a framework to support joint cutting-edge research, knowledge creation and knowledge preservation on nuclear fission technologies, with special emphasis on safety, security, 
processing of nuclear waste
, radiation protection and non-proliferation. That requires independent scientific evidence, to which the JRC can make a key contribution. That has been recognised in the Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions, dated 6 October 2010, entitled ‘Europe 2020 Flagship Initiative Innovation Union’, in which the Commission stated its intention to strengthen scientific evidence for policy-making through the JRC. The JRC proposes to respond to that challenge by focusing its nuclear safety and security research on the Union's policy priorities.









Amendment 9


Proposal for a regulation


Recital 15









Text proposed by the Commission



 



Amendment











(15)


With the aim of deepening the relationship between science and society and reinforcing public confidence in science, the Euratom Programme should 
favour
 an informed engagement of citizens and civil society on research and innovation matters by promoting science education, by making scientific knowledge more accessible, by developing responsible research and innovation agendas that meet the concerns and expectations of citizens and civil society, and by facilitating their participation in activities under the Euratom Programme.






 








(15)


With the aim of deepening the relationship between science and society and reinforcing public confidence in science, the Euratom Programme should 
ensure a better provision of information to enable
 an informed engagement of citizens and civil society on research and innovation matters by promoting science education, by making scientific knowledge more accessible, by developing responsible research and innovation agendas that meet the concerns and expectations of citizens and civil society, and by facilitating their participation in activities under the Euratom Programme.









Amendment 10


Proposal for a regulation


Recital 17









Text proposed by the Commission



 



Amendment











(17)


The outcomes of the debates that took place at the Symposium on ‘Benefits and Limitations of Nuclear Fission Research for a Low Carbon Economy’prepared by an interdisciplinary study involving, among others, experts from the fields of energy, economics and social sciences, co-organised by the Commission and the European Economic and Social Committee in Brussels on 26 and 27 February 2013, recognised the need to continue nuclear research at the European level.






 








(17)


The outcomes of the debates that took place at the Symposium on ‘Benefits and Limitations of Nuclear Fission Research for a Low Carbon Economy’prepared by an interdisciplinary study involving, among others, experts from the fields of energy, economics and social sciences, co-organised by the Commission and the European Economic and Social Committee in Brussels on 26 and 27 February 2013, recognised the need to continue nuclear research, 
including fission research
, at the European level.









Amendment 11


Proposal for a regulation


Recital 18









Text proposed by the Commission



 



Amendment











(18)


The Euratom Programme should contribute to the attractiveness of the research profession in the Union. Adequate attention should be paid to the European Charter for Researchers and Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers (1), together with other relevant reference frameworks defined in the context of the European Research Area, while respecting their voluntary nature.






 








(18)


The Euratom Programme should contribute to the attractiveness of the research profession in the Union 
and help encourage young people to become involved in research in this field
. Adequate attention should be paid to the European Charter for Researchers and Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers (2), together with other relevant reference frameworks defined in the context of the European Research Area, while respecting their voluntary nature.









 






Amendment 12


Proposal for a regulation


Recital 19









Text proposed by the Commission



 



Amendment











(19)


The activities developed under the Euratom Programme 
should aim at promoting
 equality between women and men in research and innovation, by addressing in particular the underlying causes of gender imbalance, by exploiting the full potential of both female and male researchers, 
and by integrating the gender dimension into the content of projects
 in order to improve the quality of research and stimulate innovation. Activities should also aim at the implementation of the principles relating to the equality between women and men as laid down in Articles 2 and 3 of the Treaty on European Union and Article 8 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU).






 








(19)


The activities developed under the Euratom programme 
must comply with the principles of
 equality between women and men in research and innovation, by addressing in particular the underlying causes of gender imbalance, by exploiting the full potential of both female and male researchers, 
improving their access to research programmes
 in order to improve the quality of research and stimulate innovation. Activities should also aim at the implementation of the principles relating to the equality between women and men as laid down in Articles 2 and 3 of the Treaty on European Union and Article 8 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU).









Amendment 13


Proposal for a regulation


Recital 20









Text proposed by the Commission



 



Amendment











(20)


Research and innovation activities supported by the Euratom Programme should respect fundamental ethical principles. The opinions on energy matters of the European Group on Ethics in Science and New Technologies should be taken into account as appropriate. Research activities should also take into account Article 13 of the TFEU and 
reduce
 the use of animals in research and testing, with a view to ultimately 
replacing
 animal use. All activities should be carried out ensuring 
a high
 level of human health protection.






 








(20)


Research and innovation activities supported by the Euratom Programme should respect fundamental ethical principles. The opinions on energy matters of the European Group on Ethics in Science and New Technologies should be taken into account as appropriate. Research activities should also take into account Article 13 of the TFEU and 
replace
 the use of animals in research and testing, with a view to ultimately 
prohibit
 animal use. All activities should be carried out ensuring 
the highest
 level of human health protection.









Amendment 14


Proposal for a regulation


Recital 21









Text proposed by the Commission



 



Amendment











(21)


A greater impact should also be achieved by combining the Euratom Programme and private sector funds within public-private partnerships in key areas where research and innovation could contribute to the Union's wider competitiveness goals. Particular attention should be given to the involvement of small and medium-sized enterprises.






 








(21)


A greater impact should also be achieved by combining the Euratom Programme and private sector funds within public-private partnerships in key areas where research and innovation could contribute to the Union's wider competitiveness goals. Particular attention should be given to the involvement of small and medium-sized enterprises, 
including emerging new innovative actors within the relevant research area
.









Amendment 15


Proposal for a regulation


Recital 25









Text proposed by the Commission



 



Amendment











(25)


The financial interests of the Union should be protected through proportionate measures throughout the expenditure cycle, including the prevention, detection and investigation of irregularities, the recovery of funds lost, wrongly paid or incorrectly used and, where appropriate, penalties. A revised control strategy, shifting focus from minimisation of error rates towards risk-based control and fraud detection, should reduce the control burden for participants.






 








(25)


The financial interests of the Union should be protected through appropriate measures throughout the expenditure cycle, including the prevention, detection and investigation of irregularities 
through joint audit procedures
, the recovery of funds lost, unduly paid or incorrectly used and, where appropriate, penalties. A revised control strategy, shifting focus from minimisation of error rates towards risk-based control and fraud detection 
based on common principles and criteria at EU level
, should reduce the control burden for participants.









Amendment 16


Proposal for a regulation


Recital 26









Text proposed by the Commission



 



Amendment











(26)


It is important to ensure sound financial management of the Euratom Programme and its implementation in the most effective and user-friendly manner possible, while also ensuring legal certainty and 
its
 accessibility 
to
 all participants. It is necessary to ensure compliance with the relevant provisions of Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council (the "Financial Regulation") (3) and with the requirements of simplification and better regulation.






 








(26)


It is important to ensure sound financial management of the Euratom Programme and its implementation in the most effective and user-friendly manner possible, while also ensuring legal certainty and 
that potential beneficiaries are properly informed, so as to increase
 accessibility 
for
 all participants. It is necessary to ensure compliance with the relevant provisions of Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council (the "Financial Regulation") (4) and with the requirements of simplification and better regulation.









 






Amendment 17


Proposal for a regulation


Recital 33









Text proposed by the Commission



 



Amendment











(33)


Achieving the objectives of the Euratom Programme in relevant areas requires support for cross-cutting activities, both within the Euratom Programme and jointly with the activities of the Horizon 2020 Framework Programme.






 








(33)


Achieving the objectives of the Euratom Programme in relevant areas requires support for cross-cutting activities, both within the Euratom Programme and jointly with the activities of the Horizon 2020 Framework Programme, 
for example in the case of Marie Skłodowská Curie actions supporting researcher mobility
.









Amendment 18


Proposal for a regulation


Article 3 – paragraph 1









Text proposed by the Commission



 



Amendment






1.   The general objective of the Euratom Programme is to pursue nuclear research and training activities with an emphasis on continuous improvement of nuclear safety, security and radiation protection, notably to 
potentially
 contribute to the long-term decarbonisation of the energy system in a safe, efficient and secure way. The general objective shall be implemented through the activities specified in Annex I in the form of direct and indirect actions which pursue the specific objectives set out in paragraphs 2 and 3 of this Article.



 



1.   The general objective of the Euratom Programme is to pursue nuclear research and training activities with an emphasis on continuous improvement of nuclear safety, security and radiation protection, notably to contribute to the long-term decarbonisation of the energy system in a safe, efficient and secure way. The general objective shall be implemented through the activities specified in Annex I in the form of direct and indirect actions which pursue the specific objectives set out in paragraphs 2 and 3 of this Article.






Amendment 19


Proposal for a regulation


Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point a









Text proposed by the Commission



 



Amendment











(a)


supporting safety of nuclear systems;






 








(a)


supporting safety of nuclear systems, 
inter alia by means of structural cross-border inspections in the case of nuclear facilities in the vicinity of one or more national borders with other Member States
;









Amendment 20


Proposal for a regulation


Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point b









Text proposed by the Commission



 



Amendment











(b)


contributing to 
the
 development of safe, 
longer term
 solutions for the management of ultimate nuclear waste, including final geological disposal as well as partitioning and transmutation;






 








(b)


contributing to 
cooperation at EU level and with third countries in the identification and
 development of safe, 
long-term
 solutions for the management of ultimate nuclear waste, including final geological disposal as well as partitioning and transmutation;









Amendment 21


Proposal for a regulation


Article 3 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 – point a









Text proposed by the Commission



 



Amendment











(a)


improving nuclear safety including: nuclear reactor and fuel safety, waste management, including final geological disposal as well as partitioning and transmutation; decommissioning, and emergency preparedness;






 








(a)


improving nuclear safety including: nuclear reactor and fuel safety, waste management 
to prevent any undesirable impacts on man or the environment
, including final geological disposal as well as partitioning and transmutation; decommissioning, and emergency preparedness;









Amendment 22


Proposal for a regulation


Article 3 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 – point b









Text proposed by the Commission



 



Amendment











(b)


improving nuclear security including: nuclear safeguards, non-proliferation, combating illicit trafficking, and nuclear forensics;






 








(b)


improving nuclear security including: nuclear safeguards, non-proliferation, combating illicit trafficking, and nuclear forensics, 
the disposal of source materials and radioactive waste, countering cyber-attacks and reducing the risks of terrorism on nuclear power plants as well as structural cross-border inspections in the case of nuclear facilities in the vicinity of one or more national borders with other EU Member States
;









Amendment 23


Proposal for a regulation


Article 3 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 – point d









Text proposed by the Commission



 



Amendment











(d)


fostering knowledge management, education and training;






 








(d)


fostering knowledge management, education and training, 
including long-term professional training to reflect permanent developments made possible by new technologies
;









Amendment 24


Proposal for a regulation


Article 3 – paragraph 4









Text proposed by the Commission



 



Amendment






4.   The Euratom Programme shall be implemented in such a way as to ensure that the priorities and activities supported are relevant to changing needs and take account of the evolving nature of science, technology, innovation, policy making, markets and society, with the aim of optimizing human and financial resources, and to avoid duplication on nuclear research and development in the Union.



 



4.   The Euratom Programme shall be implemented in such a way as to ensure that the priorities and activities supported are relevant to changing needs and take account of the evolving nature of science, technology, innovation, policy making – 
particularly energy and environmental policy
 – markets and society, with the aim of optimizing human and financial resources, 
to create greater synergies between existing programmes and projects
 and to avoid duplication on nuclear research and development in the Union.






Amendment 25


Proposal for a regulation


Article 4 – paragraph 2









Text proposed by the Commission



 



Amendment






2.   The financial envelope of the Euratom Programme may cover expenses pertaining to preparatory, monitoring, control, audit and evaluation activities which are required for the management of that Programme and the achievement of its objectives, in particular studies and meetings of experts, as far as they relate to the general objectives of this Regulation, and expenses linked to information technology networks focusing on information processing and exchange, together with all other technical and administrative assistance expenses incurred by the Commission for the management of the Euratom Programme. The expenses for continuous and repetitive actions such as control, audit and IT networks will be covered within the limits of the Commission's administrative expenditure specified in paragraph 1.



 



2.   The financial envelope of the Euratom Programme may cover expenses pertaining to preparatory, monitoring, control, audit and evaluation activities which are required for the management of that Programme and the achievement of its objectives, in particular studies and meetings of experts, as far as they relate to the general objectives of this Regulation, and expenses linked to information technology networks focusing on information processing and exchange, 
and the security of those networks
, together with all other technical and administrative assistance expenses incurred by the Commission for the management of the Euratom Programme. The expenses for continuous and repetitive actions such as control, audit and IT networks will be covered within the limits of the Commission's administrative expenditure specified in paragraph 1.






Amendment 26


Proposal for a regulation


Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point c









Text proposed by the Commission



 



Amendment











(c)


countries or territories associated to the Seventh Euratom Framework Programme or the Euratom Research and Training Programme 2014-2018.






 








(c)


countries or territories, associated to, 
or participating as a Member State in
, the Seventh Euratom Framework Programme or the Euratom Research and Training Programme 2014-2018.









Amendment 27


Proposal for a regulation


Article 11 – paragraph 3









Text proposed by the Commission



 



Amendment






3.   The work programmes referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2 shall take account of the state of science, technology and innovation at national, Union and international level and of relevant policy, market and societal developments. They shall be updated as and where appropriate.



 



3.   The work programmes referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2 shall take account of the state of science, technology and innovation at national, Union and international level and of relevant policy, market and societal developments. They shall be updated as and where appropriate, 
taking due account of the relevant recommendations made by the independent Commission Expert Groups set up to evaluate the EURATOM Programme
.






Amendment 28


Proposal for a regulation


Article 15 – paragraph 1









Text proposed by the Commission



 



Amendment





Particular attention shall be paid to ensuring the adequate participation of, and innovation impact on, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and the private sector in general in the Euratom Programme. Quantitative and qualitative assessments of SME participation shall be undertaken as part of the evaluation and monitoring arrangements.


 


Particular attention shall be paid to ensuring the adequate participation of, and innovation impact on, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), 
including emerging new innovative actors in the relevant research area
 and the private sector in general in the Euratom Programme. Quantitative and qualitative assessments of SME participation shall be undertaken as part of the evaluation and monitoring arrangements.





Amendment 29


Proposal for a regulation


Article 21 – paragraph 2









Text proposed by the Commission



 



Amendment






2.   The Commission shall report and make publicly available the results of the monitoring referred to in paragraph 1.



 



2.   The Commission shall report and make publicly available the results of the monitoring referred to in paragraph 1 
and forward them to Parliament
.






Amendment 30


Proposal for a regulation


Annex I – paragraph 2









Text proposed by the Commission



 



Amendment





Nuclear power 
constitutes an element in the debate on
 combating climate change and reducing Europe's dependence on imported energy. In the broader context of finding a sustainable energy-mix for the future, the Euratom Programme will also contribute through its research activities to 
the debate on the benefits and the limitations
 of nuclear fission energy for a low-carbon economy. Through ensuring continuous improvement of nuclear safety, more advanced nuclear technologies could also offer the prospect of significant improvements in efficiency and use of resources and producing less waste than current designs. Nuclear safety aspects will receive the greatest possible attention.


 


Nuclear power 
makes an important contribution to
 combating climate change and reducing Europe's dependence on imported energy. In the broader context of finding a sustainable energy-mix for the future, the Euratom Programme will also contribute through its research activities to 
maintaining the technological advantages
 of nuclear fission energy for a low-carbon economy. Through ensuring continuous improvement of nuclear safety, more advanced nuclear technologies could also offer the prospect of significant improvements in efficiency and use of resources and producing less waste than current designs. Nuclear safety aspects will receive the greatest possible attention.





Amendment 31


Proposal for a regulation


Annex I – paragraph 6 – point a – paragraph 2









Text proposed by the Commission



 



Amendment





In line with the general objective, support to joint research activities concerning the safe operation and decommissioning of reactor systems (including fuel cycle facilities) in use in the Union or, to the extent necessary in order to maintain broad nuclear safety expertise in the Union, those reactor types 
which
 may be used in the future, 
focusing exclusively on safety aspects, including
 all aspects of the fuel cycle such as partitioning and transmutation.


 


In line with the general objective, support to joint research activities concerning the safe operation and decommissioning of reactor systems (including fuel cycle facilities) in use in the Union or, to the extent necessary in order to maintain broad nuclear safety expertise in the Union, those reactor types may be used in the future 
on
 all aspects of the fuel cycle such as partitioning and transmutation.





Amendment 32


Proposal for a regulation


Annex I – paragraph 9 – point a – paragraph 2 – point 3









Text proposed by the Commission



 



Amendment











(3)


exchange with relevant stakeholders for strengthening Union capacity to respond to nuclear accidents and incidents by research on alert systems and models for radiological dispersion in the 
air
, and by mobilising resources and expertise for analysing and modelling nuclear accidents.






 








(3)


exchange with relevant stakeholders for strengthening Union capacity to respond to nuclear accidents and incidents by research on alert systems and models for radiological dispersion in the 
environment (air, water and soil)
, and by mobilising resources and expertise for analysing and modelling nuclear accidents.









Amendment 33


Proposal for a regulation


Annex I – paragraph 11









Text proposed by the Commission



 



Amendment





In order to achieve the objectives of the Euratom Programme, appropriate links and interfaces, such as joint calls, will be ensured with the Specific Programme of the Horizon 2020 Framework Programme.


 


In order to achieve the objectives of the Euratom Programme 
and to create synergy between nuclear and non-nuclear activities and knowledge transfer in relevant areas
, appropriate links and interfaces, such as joint calls, will be ensured with the Specific Programme of the Horizon 2020 Framework Programme.





Amendment 34


Proposal for a regulation


Annex II – part 1 – point b – introductory part









Text proposed by the Commission



 



Amendment











(b)


Contributing to the development of safe, 
longer-term
 solutions for the management of ultimate nuclear waste, including final geological disposal, partitioning and transmutation






 








(b)


Contributing to the development of safe, 
long-term
 solutions for the management of ultimate nuclear waste, including final geological disposal, partitioning and transmutation









Amendment 36


Proposal for a regulation


Annex II – part 1 – point g – introductory part









Text proposed by the Commission



 



Amendment











(g)


Promoting innovation 
and industry competitiveness








 








(g)


Promoting innovation










(1)  Commission Recommendation of 11 March 2005 on the European Charter for Researchers and on a Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers (OJ L 75, 22.3.2005, p. 67).

(2)  Commission Recommendation of 11 March 2005 on the European Charter for Researchers and on a Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers (OJ L 75, 22.3.2005, p. 67).

(3)  Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 2012 on the financial rules applicable to the general budget of the Union and repealing Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002 (OJ L 298, 26.10.2012, p. 1).

(4)  Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 2012 on the financial rules applicable to the general budget of the Union and repealing Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002 (OJ L 298, 26.10.2012, p. 1).