Research and technological development (RTD): cooperation with developing countries

The Parliament adopted its opinion on RTD in development policy, drafted by Jup Weber (ERA, Luxembourg) without debate. The EP welcomed the initial outline of the Community strategy for supporting research in developing countries and agrees with the Commission's analysis of the importance for development of the establishment of research capacities which address, locally and in a highly concrete way, the challenges which these countries face. It considers that the priorities set and the areas of work outlined must clearly form part of an approach based on sustainable development, and that the emphasis should be placed on 'front-line technologies', that is those which enable people to escape from poverty and begin a cumulative process of sustainable wealth creation and which cover, among other things, the areas of hygiene, water and the treatment and recycling of waste. The Parliament calls on the Commission to: - guarantee maximum flexibility in the financial instruments of RTD co-operation with developing countries. - strengthen and guarantee coherence and co-ordination between the EU's foreign policy and RTD co-operation programmes with third countries, particularly developing countries, on the basis of solidarity with the poor countries but also the advantageousness of new potential markets. The EP also considers it desirable to improve the mobilisation of resources and, in particular, to consider how the Union can make full use of financial instruments, such as the EDF and the ALA and MEDA Regulations, which should devote additional funds to actions aimed at establishing structures for RTD in developing countries.�