Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

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# 92001E2989

**WRITTEN QUESTION E-2989/01 by Paul Rübig (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Funding for the Sixth R & D Framework Programme.** 
  
*Official Journal 134 E , 06/06/2002 P. 0167 - 0167*

  

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2989/01

by Paul Rübig (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(29 October 2001)

Subject: Funding for the Sixth R & D Framework Programme

The most important sources of European prosperity are those industrial sectors which export large volumes of goods, since they generate competition and growth. In the Commission proposal for a decision on the Framework Programme for Research, Technological Development and Demonstration for the period 2002-2006 the funding allocated to some sectoral budgets fails to reflect the significance of the European Union's balance of trade.

Given its key role in generating economic growth, the focusing of support on the sphere of Information Society Technologies (IST) is justified, since increased investment in these technologies will increase competitiveness in fields where the Union is lagging behind, and those benefits will also spill over into other areas.

However, by comparison with the IST sector, which, when calculated on the basis of EU export volumes, receives seven times more support, the funding for the Materials/Machines/Vehicles sector under the thematic programme Nanotechnologies, Intelligent Materials and New Production Processes seems inadequate.

What explanation can the Commission give for the funding of the individual sub-programmes in the light of the criterion outlined above, having regard to the issue of Europe's competitiveness and the contribution to the safeguarding of jobs and prosperity which export successes can make?

Answer given by Mr Busquin on behalf of the Commission

(7 January 2002)

In the proposal for a new research Framework Programme 2002-2006(1) (the Sixth Framework Programme), the choice of the priority areas on which to concentrate Community efforts and of the budget to be attributed to themes based on the principle of greater value-added at the European level, in particular on the need to:

- concentrate resources on the scientific and technological challenges and opportunities Europe will be confronted with,

- mobilise resources to achieve critical mass,

- achieve greater complementarity with national public and private research investments in the relevant areas.

The actions to be carried out under priority 1.1.3 Nanotechnologies, intelligent materials, and new production processes are intended to help Europe develop the knowledge and the technologies on the advanced materials, products, services and manufacturing processes which are important for industrial competitiveness. As compared with the Fifth Framework Programme, nanotechnologies is an entirely new priority. The proposal for the Sixth Framework Programme would result in a tripling of the budget compared to current levels of support. In its Resolution on the Caudron Report, Parliament has not voted to change the budget proposed by the Commission for this priority.

(1) OJ C 240 E, 28.8.2001.

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