Onderzoeksministers bereiken consensus Horizon 2020 (en) - Hoofdinhoud

At today’s meeting of Competitiveness Council i (Research), which was held in Luxembourg, the Cyprus Presidency reached a preliminary agreement (partial general approach) on the Regulation on the Rules for participation and dissemination in the next EU i funding programme for research and innovation for the period 2014-2020 (Horizon 2020), and on the amended Regulation of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT).

The meeting was chaired by Dr. Stavros Malas, Minister of Health of Cyprus, responsible for the research portfolio during the Cyprus Presidency, with the participation of Ms Maire Geoghegan-Quinn i, Commissioner for Research, Innovation and Sciences, and of Research Ministers from the EU Member States.

Horizon 2020

EU Research Ministers concluded a preliminary agreement (partial general approach) on two of the legislative proposals of the programme Horizon 2020 (H2020), the next EU funding programme for research and innovation for the period 2014-2020. The first one is the Regulation laying down the Rules for participation and dissemination in H2020. Despite initial reservations by some Member States and through extensive discussions during the Council meeting, the Cyprus Presidency and Mr. Malas in particular, succeeded to develop a compromise that led to the final agreement.

Agreement was also reached on the amended Regulation of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT). The EIT is now part of H2020, and the rules and procedures governing its operation should be consistent with H2020.

Adoption of both Regulations requires the consent of the European Parliament (co-decision) as well as the decision for the Multiannual Financial Framework to set the budget for H2020.

Mr. Malas expressed his satisfaction for the outcome of the discussions: “We are very pleased for reaching a partial general approach in two main dossiers, the Regulation on the Rules for participation and dissemination in Horizon 2020 and the Regulation of the EIT. It was indeed an enormous achievement to arrive at a consensus on the Rules for participation in H2020, since there were many and strong reservations on the proposed text, and I would like to thank all the Ministers for their patience and great efforts towards this end.”

European Research Area

The Council discussed the recent proposals of the Commission concerning first, a reinforced European Research Area Partnership, in view of the request of the European Council to complete the European Research Area (ERA) by 2014, and second, better access to scientific information. The orientation debate taken place was based on two recent announcements from the European Commission on the issues, as well as on the questions prepared by the Cyprus Presidency to structure this discussion.

Mr. Malas expressed his satisfaction for the productive discussion taken place and on the consensus shown by the Member States for completing the ERA.

Cyprus’ Health Minister said that “we noted down the views and suggestions put on the table by the member states, which the Cyprus Presidency will take into account, together with the outcome of the ERA Conference that will be held in Cyprus on November 14, for the preparation of conclusions to be submitted for approval at December’s Competitiveness Council.”