Security research : the next steps

 The committee adopted the own-initiative report drawn up by Bogdan KLICH(EPP-ED, PL) in response to the Commission paper entitled 'Security Research - The Next Steps'. MEPs welcomed the Commission proposal for a European Security Research Programme (ESRP) and stressed the need to develop a "structured and efficient" security research programme at EU level, in order to address current and future security challenges and clearly-defined European requirements. They also said that the programme should enhance the security and safety of European citizens and ensure European credibility and effectiveness in ESDP (European Security and Defence Policy) operations, while contributing to the growth and competitiveness of the European economy.

The committee underlined the public-interest nature of all aspects relating to security research and called for programmes and projects in this field to be given sufficient stability and for the budgetary allocation to be linked to the trend in GDP, so as to secure the greatest possible continuity over time and the best results.

Lastly, the report made a range of specific recommendations for getting the most out of the programme, which would be developed as part of the Seventh EU Research Framework Programme.