Resaerch RTD, 5th framework-programme EC 1998-2002: research, technological development and demonstration activities

By adopting Godelieve QUISTHOUDT-ROWOHL's (EPP, D) recommendation for second reading, the Committee will propose that Parliament rejects Council's common position on the EC Fifth Framework Programme for research, technological development and demonstration activities 1998-2002. (Co-decision procedure, second reading). The rapporteur received the full backing of the Committee by demanding an overall budget of ECU 16.300 million (the EURATOM programme included), while Council had proposed only ECU 14.000 million. It was generally felt yesterday that a conciliation procedure later this year would be unavoidable. In order to strenghthen Parliament's position, compromises between the various political groups have been negotiated. In its revised proposal of 14 January 1998, the European Commission had also proposed ECU 16.300 million as the overall amount for the EC and the Euratom programmes. The maximum overall amount without Euratom will be ECU 15.400 million. A rejection of the common position would create considerable problems between the Council and the European Parliament in their respective roles as the' budget authority of the Union. At present, their different proposals are as follows: Council's commmon position (*)........ EP Committee position (*) Indirect actions.... ECU million..... Indirect actions Ecu million 1st activity........... 10.039 ....... 1st activity....... 12.000 2nd activity............ 458 ....... 2nd activity....... 500 3rd activity............ 350 ....... 3rd activity....... 420 4th activity............ 1.205 ....... 4th activity....... 1.320 Direct actions....... 668 ....... Direct actions..... 800 (see below) Maximum overall amount 12.740 .... Maximum overall amount 15.040 (*)Euratom not included The Committe also took on board compromise amendments on optimizing the scientific and technological conditions for the international competitiveness of the EU, by using the EU Structural Funds, the European Investment Bank and the European Investment Funds, on the Joint Research Centre and by including coal among the key actions of the first activity. Another amendment suggested the introduction of a European Grand Prix for scientific and technological research.