Verbatim report of proceedings

Tuesday, 16 April 2019 - Strasbourg

Establishing Horizon Europe – laying down its rules for participation and dissemination - Programme implementing Horizon Europe (debate)

  Miriam Dalli (S&D). – Mr President, allow me straight away to say congratulations to both the rapporteurs and the Commissioner for adopting the new framework programme before the European elections, because this can now allow for the smooth implementation of the many funding instruments, processes and programmes involved. I am glad that this Parliament took the issue of the research and innovation divide in Europe seriously because for far too long we had closed clubs, and it’s high time that these closed networks opened up to the lower—performing Member States. I believe that this is the way forward if we honestly want to have a European Union that develops a modern, competitive, innovative and truly sustainable economy.

Specific initiatives need to be established so that we retain existing research talent and attract young promising talent. Helping out the lower—performing Member States when it comes to research and innovation is a matter of shared responsibility and ownership, and it is imperative that the EU take substantive action.