2001 ECSC operating budget

The European Parliament adopted the report by Mrs Heide RÜLE (Greens/ALE, D) on the ECSC operating budget for 2001. The Parliament goes along with the position of Committee on Budgets. The House also approved the budgetary readjustments requested by the Budget Control Committee (refer to the previous summary). In addition, the Parliament notes that, as a result of the upcoming enlargement, the importance of coal and steel sectors will increase markedly. Therefore, it considers that upon the expiry of the ECSC Treaty research on coal and steel sector should be diversified and strengthened to support the modernisation and restructuring programmes in the applicant countries. Lastly, the Parliament urges the Commission to take this into account when preparing for the Sixth Framework Programme on Research and Technological Development (2000-2006). �