Research RTD, 6th EC Framework-programme 2002-2006: structuring the European Research Area

The committee adopted the report by Myrsini ZORBA (PES, GR) approving the programme under the consultation procedure, subject to a number of amendments designed to help to achieve the overall aim of making a tangible improvement in innovation performance, in the short, medium and long term, by stimulating better integration between research and innovation: - inter- and multidisciplinarity should be explicitly promoted by concrete actions; - the key role played by universities and higher education institutions involved in research in building the European Research Area must be recognised. Measures should be taken towards creating a European Higher Education Area and synergies should be firmly established between the European Research Area and the European Higher Education Area; - a mechanism should be set up within the Commission's DG for Research to monitor and optimise researchers' mobility and to assess proposals to help the return of EU researchers who have temporarily emigrated from the Union. The same mechanism would also serve to monitor the mobility of researchers from the applicant countries with a view to the EU enlargement; - the programme should help to develop a positive attitude towards research and innovation among teachers and journalists and to encourage comprehensive debates with the participation of relevant stakeholders, for instance environmental associations, patients· organisations, and religious communities; - research aimed at military purposes should be specifically excluded from Community funding.�