(Rule 52)

A3-0275/94

Resolution on coordinating the research and technological development policies (R&TD policies) of the European Community and the Member States

The European Parliament,

-having regard to the motion for a resolution by Mr Sanz Fernandez on coordinating national research and technological development policies (RTD) (B3-0450/93),

-having regard to its resolution of 23 June 1993 on the Commission documents concerning the fourth framework programme of Community activities in the field of research and technological development, its opinion of 18 November 1993 on the Commission proposal concerning the fourth framework programme in the field of research, technological development and demonstration (1994 to 1998) and its other resolutions on the same subject,

-having regard to Rule 45 of the Rules of Procedure,

-having delegated the power of decision to the Committee on Energy, Research and Technology, pursuant to Rule 52 of the Rules of Procedure,

-having regard to the report of the Committee on Energy, Research and Technology (A3-0275/94),

A.whereas as early as 14 January 1974 the Council called upon the Member States to coordinate research policy to a greater extent,

B.whereas Article 130h of the EC Treaty expressly calls upon the Commission to take any useful initiative to coordinate R&D policy in the Community,

C.whereas expenditure on research and development on Europe is currently levelling off rather than rising and some of it is being cut,

D.whereas coordination of Community R&D policy with that of the Member States and mutual coordination of the Member States' R&D policies could considerably increase the effectiveness of the use of public research funds,

E.whereas existing organizational structures in the Community in the field of R&D, such as CREST or the committees, already perform certain coordinating functions in connection with the management of Community research programmes,

F.whereas the Commission has not yet made an adequate effort to coordinate R&D policy,

1.Regards coordination of the R&D policies of the Member States with one another and with that of the Community as an essential instrument of R&D policy and believes that it could help to establish new synergies and prevent duplication of effort;

2.Points out that competition in research is a decisive factor in stimulating scientific progress and that coordinating measures must therefore make a careful distinction between superfluous duplication of effort and useful parallel research activities;

3.Calls once again upon the Commission, therefore, forthwith to take the initiative pursuant to Article 130h of the EC Treaty with a view to drafting proposals, in cooperation with the Member States, for coordinating R&D policies in the Community;

4.Appeals to the national scientific organizations and research centres to step up their cooperation on the coordination of research activities;

5.Calls upon the Commission to cooperate closely with national science organizations and research centres and with the European Science Foundation in coordinating R&D policies with the aim of tailoring research programmes to one another more effectively;

6.Calls upon the Commission and the Member States to set up a joint working party, whose remit could include:

-reviewing the existing institutions and instruments for coordination, particularly the information mechanisms and the tasks and powers of Community or intergovernmental bodies,

-identifying the shortcomings and inadequacies of existing coordination mechanisms,

-analysing the scope for establishing new coordination instruments or improving existing ones, and the constraints on this, and making proposals on the subject,

-promoting the setting-up and operation of specific information networks, for example for research authorities, R&D establishments, manufacturers and users in research-intensive industries;

7.Takes the view that in the Community's specific R&D programmes priority should be assigned to those projects which seek to improve cooperation;

8.Takes the view that the Community's aspiration to coordinate national and Community research policies will be credible only if the implementation of its own research programmes is optimal;

9.Calls upon the Commission, therefore, to arrange for a group of high-ranking independent experts to perform a comparative study of the advantages and disadvantages of

-the administration of Community research programmes and major research projects by the Commission, and

-the administration of Community research programmes and major research projects by one or more external establishments with special experience of research project management, which would be answerable to the Commission

and report its findings to Parliament;

10.Proposes that the Council of Ministers responsible for R&D should regularly consider the situation and developments as regards coordination of research policies;

11.Calls upon the Commission to report to the Council and Parliament annually on the results of its efforts to coordinate research policies and the planned coordination measures;

12.Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Commission and Council, the national scientific organizations and research centres and the European Science Foundation.