REPORT on the communication from the Commission on perspectives for international cooperation in research and technological development (COM(95)0489 - C4-0502/95)

8 May 1996

Committee on Research, Technological Development and Energy
Rapporteur: Mr Alain Pompidou

By letter of 20 October 1995 the Commission forwarded to Parliament its communication on perspectives for international cooperation in research and technological development.

At the sitting of 17 November 1995 the President of Parliament announced that he had referred this communication to the Committee on Research, Technological Development and Energy as the committee responsible and to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Security and Defence Policy, the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs and Industrial Policy, the Committee on External Economic Relations and the Committee on Development and Cooperation for their opinions.

At its meeting of 21 November 1995 the Committee on Research, Technological Development and Energy appointed Mr Alain Pompidou rapporteur.

At its meetings of 20 March, 22 April and 7 May 1996 it considered the communication and the draft report.

At the last of these meetings it adopted the motion for a resolution unanimously.

The following took part in the vote: Adam, Quisthoudt-Rowohl and McNally, vice-chairmen; Pompidou, rapporteur; Ahern, Argyros, Chichester, Desama, Ferber, Ford (for Roth), Heinisch (for Soulier), Holm, Izquierdo Collado, Jouppila, Lange, Linkohr, Macartney, Malerba (for Scapagnini), Mann (for Nencini), Marset Campos, Mombaur, Plooij-van Gorsel, Rovsing, Tannert, Trakatellis (for Estevan Bolea), W.G. Van Velzen and West.

The opinions of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Security and Defence Policy, the Committee on External Economic Relations and the Committee on Development and Cooperation are attached. The Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs and Industrial Policy decided not to deliver an opinion.

The report was tabled on 8 May 1996.

The deadline for tabling amendments will be indicated in the draft agenda for the relevant part-session.

A MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

Resolution on the Commission communication on perspectives for international cooperation in research and technological development (COM(95)0489 - C4-0502/95)

The European Parliament,

- having regard to the Commission communication on perspectives for international cooperation in research and technological development (COM(95)0489 - C40502/95),

- having regard to the green paper on innovation (COM(95)0688 - C4-0609/95),

- having regard to the report of the Committee on Research, Technological Development and Energy and the opinions of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Security and Defence Policy, the Committee on External Economic Relations and the Committee on Development and Cooperation (A4-0160/96),

A. whereas it is the responsibility of the EU to create a stable environment within an enlarged Europe, in particular by means of a research policy conducted in cooperation with third countries, and to contribute to sustainable economic growth in developing countries,

B. whereas, as regards cooperation between the EU and third countries, a clear distinction should be made between, on the one hand, scientific and technical cooperation and, on the other, technological development,

C. whereas the exchange of knowledge and technological development cooperation require firm agreements as regards intellectual and industrial property, with due respect for mutual and reciprocal interests,

D. having regard to the need for satisfactory communication between scientists to enable them to pool their knowledge with a particular view to the development of mega-science, for example in the fields of genome research, particle physics or the observation of the universe,

E. whereas the ultimate objective in this area is to identify, secure recognition for and maintain, by means of the common R&D policy, the EU's fields of excellence in terms of basic research and the exchange of enabling technologies; whereas such cooperation is also intended to enable the EU to increase its market share by means of a properly targeted RTD policy based on balanced partnerships, which will ensure that lasting links with third countries are established on the basis of reciprocity and mutual interest,

1. Calls on the Commission to take into account the distinction between international, scientific and technical cooperation and technological development for industrial and commercial purposes, with due regard for the necessary interaction between these two kinds of activity;

2. Calls for a distinction to be made between objectives aimed at:

(a) the dissemination of knowledge,

(b) the preparation of innovative and enabling technologies;

3. Calls for international scientific cooperation to undertake in-depth research in all areas of knowledge and to encourage the sense of discovery;

4. Calls for this scientific cooperation, between academic researchers or those belonging to national research institutes, to relate to fields which, for the EU, are areas of excellence, for example mathematics, particle physics, optronics, nanotechnologies, molecular biology and ecosystems;

5. Calls on the Commission to develop an active intellectual and industrial property protection policy by means of international agreements between the EU and each third country on the basis of balanced partnerships, with due respect for mutual and reciprocal interests;

6. Calls for the reciprocity principle to be applied as strictly as possible, thus allowing, in particular, EU companies to take advantage of government RTD programmes in the USA, Japan and the emerging countries of south-east Asia, and, as they develop, in Central Europe, the Baltic States and the NIS;

7. Calls for the free movement of, the exchange of or trade in innovative and enabling technologies to be promoted, along with technological cooperation between businesses, in particular SMEs, in the context of balanced partnerships;

8. Calls on the Commission to give greater consideration to consistency and complementarity between RTD policy and other Union policies, particularly competition policy, especially in the light of the WTO regulations and with a view to future international negotiations on competition;

9. Calls on the Commission to ensure that the intelligent manufacturer system (IMS) research programme does not duplicate the work of the technological development cooperation programmes;

10. Calls for the major transverse projects and the major targeted projects to be identified with a view to improve the general situation of the EU and the partner third countries by devoting particular attention to energy production (in particular renewable energies), energy efficiency, transport, new information and communication technologies, environmental protection and climatology;

11. Calls for the arrangements to be determined for cooperation in the development and use of major items of equipment: LHC (Large Hadron Collider), VLT (Very Large Telescope), etc.;

12. Calls for the establishment, following the example of the EU-CERN Convention (European Organization for Nuclear Research), of coordinated interconnections with other European bodies;

13. Calls for major targeted projects to be proposed relating to for example, earth and space observation, telecommunications and the multimedia, renewable energy sources and biology (in particular research into genomes and agri-foodstuffs);

14. Calls for the possibilities to be examined for RTD cooperation aimed at developing mass-market high-technology products and innovative products with extra added value;

15. Calls for provision to be made for scientific and technical watch exchanges when scientific cooperation agreements with third countries are finalized, in particular by means of electronic networks, with due respect for the rules on intellectual property, particularly in cases where agreements have already been finalized;

16. Calls, for each major area of cooperation and irrespective of the framework for that cooperation, for a small, operational technical steering committee to be set up on the Commission's initiative, to be composed of experts from the EU Member States concerned and partners from the third country/countries. If the Commission ensures that the size of the committee is kept within manageable limits, such a measure will allow greater mutual understanding of the objectives and practicalities of scientific and technical cooperation. It will also ensure that the mutual interests of those involved in the cooperation projects are protected;

17. Calls for steps to be taken to encourage new risk capital and development capital financial engineering measures, particularly in respect of scientific and technical cooperation leading to the development of products or procedures with industrial or commercial applications. A European version of NASDAQ (National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations) should be considered;

18. Calls for the EU's scientific and technical cooperation and technological development policy to be the subject, on the basis of recommendations from CREST (Scientific and Technical Research Committee), of a prospective evaluation carried out by the IPTS (Institute for S&T Forecasting, in Seville) in association with the ESTA (European Science and Technology Assembly) and the ETAN network (European Technology Assessment Network); better-structured links should be established between these various bodies and the European Parliament (in particular STOA - Scientific and Technological Options Assessment);

19. Calls on the Commission to specify the arrangements for scientific and technical collaboration by distinguishing between association, cooperation and assistance and between:

(a) countries applying for EU membership, which are covered by association agreements;

(b) industrialized countries which are covered by cooperation agreements;

(c) developing countries, distinguishing between countries with an emerging economy and those which are still in serious difficulty and require assistance;

20. Calls, therefore, on the Commission to include specific RTD provisions in bilateral cooperation agreements and to conclude specific RTD cooperation agreements;

21. Also calls on the Commission to develop a consistent policy for the selection of specific projects for cooperation with partners from third countries;

22. Calls on the Commission, in respect of the best-targeted projects, to map out a 'Europe of competences' specifying the scientific and technical skills available in each of the EU Member States and the third countries with a view to identifying possible, and the most promising, complementarities;

23. In order to increase the stability and security of Europe, it is essential for the Union to strengthen scientific and technological cooperation with its neighbouring countries. This cooperation should be targeted at the specific needs of each country and should contribute to the peace and stability of Europe.

24. Cooperation with associated Central and Eastern European and Baltic countries should aim to support the pre-accession phase by bringing these countries closer to the Union through gradual economic integration. Because of major difficulties in nuclear safety and environmental pollution, scientific cooperation in these areas should also be intensified.

25. In order to bring peace and stability to the Mediterranean area, scientific and technological cooperation should essentially be aimed at areas which contribute to the improvement of living standards and respect the principle of sustainable development. Dialogue between the Union, Member States and the Mediterranean partner countries should be intensified to identify joint research objectives based on problems common to the region. Support should also be given to south-south cooperation and integration in order to strengthen regional research and technological development capacities.

26. In order to contribute to development within a regional framework, dialogue with the Latin American countries and the MERCOSUR institutions should be stepped up. In addition, scientific and technological cooperation for development must be increased within the United Nations and in particular via the agreement signed with UNESCO.

27. International scientific and technological cooperation must be in step with the Union's external policy objectives and therefore better coordination is needed between the EU's external policies and its research policy instruments.

28. Because of its importance to economic development, cooperation in the area of research and technological development should be offered in all appropriate cases with agreements on financial and technical cooperation with developing countries. The principle of reciprocity cannot of course be fully applied to agreements with developing countries, but should be taken into consideration as far as possible.

29. In this connection, the areas of greatest concern to developing countries, such as food-supply, health, environment protection and energy should be taken into consideration, and useful applications in the countries or regions concerned should be assured. Rules applicable in the EU to environmental acceptability and the protection of life and health must not be undercut when projects are implemented in developing countries.

30. Depending on the scope and intensity of the socio-economic impact, efforts should be made to secure participation by (representatives of) affected groups at the programming stage.

31. So as to secure efficient use of staff, resources and equipment, cooperation should, in particular where it applies to problems common to the different countries concerned, as far as possible be organized regionally.

32. Involving local experts at an early stage and securing their commitment to research activities and the development of technologies should ensure that solutions and procedures appropriate to the needs of developing countries will be chosen.

33. Having regard to the low level of funds available, coordination of activities between the EU and the Member States will be crucial.

34. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Commission and the Council.

B EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

General framework

This is the first time that the European Union has sought to establish the principles of a strategy for scientific and technical cooperation with countries in other parts of the world.

It is also the first time that Parliament and the Council have been involved in a genuine policy debate on international scientific and technical cooperation. The importance of this debate is linked in particular to the recent changes on the international political scene.

The collapse of the Eastern bloc, the emergence of new developing countries and the role of the Mediterranean Basin countries are currently opening up new EU foreign policy prospects for cooperation aimed at increasing the European Union's influence and competitiveness.

The role of scientific and technical cooperation is of basic importance, particularly as regards the major challenges which the European Union will have to face as it enters the new millennium, when it will be confronted with a completely different international political scene. The unparalleled scientific and technical progress currently being achieved will in future require a clear, decisive political commitment from the Union so as to enable new regulatory frameworks and new strategies to be defined.

Distinction between scientific and technical cooperation (STC) and research and technological development (RTD)

The Commission document does not seem to make a sufficiently clear distinction between scientific and technical cooperation and research and technological development.

The aim of scientific cooperation is the dissemination of scientific and technological knowledge through the exchange of information and of research workers. The aim is to increase and extend knowledge ever further within the scientific community and to develop basic research.

The purpose of technical cooperation is to encourage and promote the exchange of knowhow and the transfer of enabling technologies in order to improve the skills of scientific teams and to establish the basis for a pre-competitive approach to a sound RTD policy.

Scientific and technical cooperation between representatives of the academic world or of national research institutes, although aimed at increasing knowledge in all areas, should concentrate on the Union's fields of excellence, in particular mathematics, particle physics, molecular biology and ecosystems.

Research and technological development (RTD) cooperation, however, takes place at a later stage than scientific and technological cooperation and is geared to the development of new products with a high technological value and/or extra added value in order to achieve commercial and industrial objectives.

Once we have a clear concept of this distinction we will be able to distinguish between various forms of cooperation and the various objectives to be achieved according to the characteristics of each individual third country.

Scientific and technical cooperation (STC) and research and technological development (RTD) activities should concentrate on the following projects:

- major transverse projects designed to improve the overall state of the European Union, the Member States and the associated third countries (with special reference to the countries which have applied for membership) and relating in particular to the environment, the transport sector, energy distribution, communications and information exchange technologies and the production of consumer goods and provision of services which are essential to the everyday lives of the general public.

The aim of such activities is to improve people's quality of life and establish the conditions for lasting, sustainable development and greater competitiveness.

- major targeted projects, such as the ITER project, relating to the future experimental fusion reactor, space observation and biotechnology. To these may be added new research projects which require synergy at international level.

- research and development in respect of high-technology products designed to improve consumption or industrial production (for example pharmaceutical products, aquaculture systems, etc.).

- research and development in respect of innovative products with a high added value such as agri-foodstuffs.

The above projects should be carried out on the basis of balanced partnerships within a framework which encourages the exchange, the free movement and the marketing of innovative enabling technologies, with a particular emphasis of cooperation with SMEs.

How are these objectives to be achieved?

First of all a distinction must be made between three forms of R&D collaboration: cooperation, association and assistance.

1. Cooperation is based on a genuine partnership between teams from the European Union and third countries with a view to carrying out joint RTD projects together. There are two possible ways of doing this: either teams from third countries take part in Community activities or the European Union devises and carries out specific projects (major transverse or targeted projects) with third countries on a bilateral or multilateral contract basis.

In such cases, basic principles need to be clearly defined and subsequently observed: from the outset, cooperation must be practised on the basis of mutual interest and reciprocity. In this connection it must be made clear that the Union should be able to expect a return on STC and RTD activities, whilst teams from third countries must be given identical rights and obligations in the joint performance of Community activities, with due regard to mutual, reciprocal benefits.

Secondly, it should always be borne in mind, on the basis of the principle of mutual interest defined above, that certain third countries are also competitors. The sectors in which an STC or RTD policy is implemented should therefore be selected cautiously.

Again on the basis of the same principle the transfer of Community funds to third countries should be excluded, and matters should be restricted to the exchange of research workers and technologies.

Precise rules on the protection of intellectual and industrial property should thus be drawn up, with particular regard to the countries concerned; there must be no question of 'economizing' on extremely clear, precise rules in this area.

2. Association is a form of cooperation under which third countries participate in the funding of the Community activities in which they are involved, in accordance with the principle that each country participating in, and benefiting from, a project pays a contribution towards it. This is the kind of cooperation adopted in the case of the Central and Eastern European countries which wish to join the Union.

Association is fundamentally different from cooperation since scientists from the associate country may be financed by the Union in accordance with the same rules as those applicable to the Member States.

3. In the case of assistance the aim is to develop the scientific and technological potential of a country and to try to solve certain specific problems affecting it. In the case of the TACIS programme, for example, the purpose of the assistance provided is to help solve the scientific policy problem posed by the conversion of the armaments industry in Russia and certain Eastern European countries. This could also apply to countries in difficulty which require scientific and technical cooperation to help them develop socially and economically (e.g. the countries which are party to the Lomé Convention).

What is primarily involved in such cases is, therefore, an approach aimed at solving a particular problem. The specific area of intervention is identified jointly, the Union finances the projects (including some of the RTD costs) carried out jointly in order to solve the specific problems and it can also arrange for scientists from the third country concerned to become involved in Community activities which have a particular contribution to make to solving the specific problem to which the assistance relates.

Differentiated strategies should therefore be devised according to which third countries are involved in international STC and RTD projects.

A distinction should thus be made between:

1. Countries applying for membership of the EU or of the Customs Union

As already stated the most profitable form of cooperation is association. At the moment the countries of Central and Eastern Europe and the three Baltic Republics are linked to the Union by association agreements which make specific provision, by means of additional agreements, for the involvement of the associate countries in the Fourth Framework Programme and in specific programmes.

It should, however, be emphasized that such forms of association should be restricted to 'European' countries, meaning those countries with which a preaccession strategy has already been outlined, and should not be extended to other third countries, so as to prevent the development of an 'à la carte' Europe in which third countries would be able to select the areas of joint activity which are of interest to them, thus distorting the role of the Fourth Framework Programme as an expression of, and a means of implementing, the common RTD policy.

2. Competitor countries (in particular the USA, Japan and the emerging countries of South-East Asia)

With these countries, efforts should be made to establish a form of collaboration in which S&T and RTD cooperation is not minimised but, rather, develops in a competitive environment.

Cooperation is without a doubt the most appropriate form of collaboration. However, an effective regulatory framework for the protection of intellectual and industrial property does not currently exist in this area, which poses a serious threat to the protection of Europe's interests. Only when this matter is settled will it be possible to draw up cooperation agreements.

In the particular case of Russia and certain Eastern European countries, cooperation should be accompanied by certain forms of assistance, as currently occurs with the TACIS programme.

3. Developing countries, divided into emerging countries (certain Latin American countries such as Mexico, Brazil, etc., and also India, China, etc.) and countries which are still in serious difficulties.

(a) The first set of countries are ones which, despite having reached a very high level of development in certain sectors, still display general social and economic characteristics which are typical of developing countries.

In these cases the use of cooperation may be considered in the field of advanced science and technology and RTD, subject to an improvement in the means of protecting European interests as regards intellectual property. The means employed so far do not seem adequate: under the usual form of assistance the Union provides funding for participation by these countries in joint projects with its various Member States, thus allowing access to scientific and technological results in sectors in which they are potentially in a position to provide strong competition on account, inter alia, of their low labour costs.

(b) As regards countries which are still in serious difficulty, in particular the Lomé Convention and Latin American countries, the most appropriate form of collaboration is definitely assistance.

(c) Separate consideration should be given to the countries of the Mediterranean Basin, in respect of which forms of collaboration could be devised which create a common area in scientific and technological cooperation and RTD and involve the exchange of research workers and know-how and the joint development of major targeted projects.

It appears that, for every form of collaboration, joint committees should be set up in order to ensure that the basic principle underlying any form of cooperation is observed, i.e. mutual, reciprocal interest.

In the field of S&T cooperation the agreements will relate to joint projects for the exchange of information and data, both theoretical and technical (in association with the European Science and Technology Assembly) on the basis of the CREST (Scientific and Technical Research Committee) recommendations and with the help of prospect assessment using IPTS (Institute for S&T Forecasting, in Seville) and the ETAN network (European Technology Assessment Network). Closer relations should be established between these bodies and the European Parliament (in particular STOA - Scientific and Technological Options Assessment).

If such objectives are to be achieved a definition will have to be sought for what may be called the 'Europe of competences', i.e. the specific competences available in each country will have to be ascertained and possible instances of complementarity identified. This would make it possible to set up cooperation networks (on the basis of as the EUREKA programme, for example) in association with the Commission but without replacing the enterprise strategy. This would enable the Union's productivity and competitiveness in the scientific and technical field and the industrial and/or trade sector to be increased on the basis of bilateral or multilateral agreements with third countries.

O P I N I O N

(Rule 147 of the Rules of Procedure)

of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Security and Defence Policy

for the Committee on Research, Technological Development and Energy

Draftsman: Mr Carlos Robles Piquer

At its meeting of 20 December 1995 the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Security and Defence Policy appointed Mr Carlos Robles Piquer draftsman.

It considered the draft opinion at its meeting of 24 April 1996 and adopted the conclusions as a whole unanimously.

The following took part in the vote: Malone, first vice-chairman and acting chairman; Fernández-Albor, acting rapporteur; Aelvoet, Balfe, Barón Crespo, Bernard-Reymond, Bertens, Van Bladel, Burenstam Linder, Carnero González, Cohn-Bendit, Colajanni, Daskalaki, De Melo, Dillen (for Muscardini), Fabra Vallés (for Castagnetti), Gahrton, Gomolka, Habsburg, Konecny (for David), Kranidiotis (for Hoff), Lalumière, Oostlander, Rehn, Roubatis, Stevens, Terrón i Cusí (for Seal), Tindemans, Titley and Väyrynen.

Opinion on the Communication from the Commission concerning perspectives for international cooperation in research and technological development

I Introduction

The Commission has forwarded to Parliament its Communication 'Perspectives for international cooperation in research and technological development' (COM(95)0489). The Committee on Research, Technological Development and Energy is the committee responsible for the report on the Communication and the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Security and Defence Policy is to deliver an opinion. The opinion of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Security and Defence Policy concentrates on the foreign affairs and security policy aspects of the Communication.

II The Commission Communication

The Communication outlines the general orientation for international R&D cooperation policies for the years to come. It describes new changes and challenges which have to be taken into account in the European Union's international R&D cooperation policy. For example, the Treaty on European Union, which establishes a new framework for cooperation and development in international relations, enables a new approach to be taken in science cooperation. Recent developments in international relations have also had an impact on the EU's R&D cooperation policy. The pressure to strengthen European industrial competitiveness is a further determining factor in this policy.

The Communication states five goals and principles of the European Union in international cooperation in research and technological development:

- to strengthen European competitiveness and develop technologies for future markets;

- to develop partnership in science and technology with the neighbours of the Union;

- to share responsibility and conduct RTD on major problems of the 21st century;

- to promote RTD to foster sustainable economic growth for developing countries;

- to share S&T information and contribute to large-scale and frontier science and technology.

These objectives are to be achieved by means of global, multilateral, regional and bilateral approaches.

III General observations

Since the last Commission Communication of 1990 the international situation has changed considerably, with important consequences for the European Union's international scientific cooperation policy. The disappearance of the Eastern bloc, the disintegration of Yugoslavia and the emergence of new independent states from the former Soviet Union have had a major impact on the European Union and its scientific cooperation policy. Many of these states are seeking closer ties with the Union. Scientific and technological cooperation can be used as a tool to help them in the integration process; it therefore operates to the mutual advantage of both the EU and these countries and stabilizes the region. Also, the vast problems of pollution and nuclear safety in the neighbouring countries of the EU require close scientific cooperation between both parties.

The security and stability of a wider Europe require also that the Mediterranean basin have an important place in the EU's international scientific and technological cooperation. As the European Council of Essen has stated, bringing peace, stability and prosperity to the Mediterranean region is one of the European Union's priorities. The problems of the area, like the contradiction between population growth and economic difficulties, cause instability and have indirect consequences inside the Union in terms of immigration pressure. It is in the interest of the EU to reinforce its scientific cooperation aimed at helping Southern Mediterranean countries to control their development and in that way contribute to the stabilization of the region, as was emphasized at the Euro-Mediterranean Conference in Barcelona.

The Union has a number of specific instruments for international scientific cooperation. For the Mediterranean region, MEDA provides support for projects which contribute to economic reconstruction and development and which have significant science and technology components. This support is given at the request of beneficiary countries for programmes within the agreed framework. A high-level policy dialogue between the EU, its Member States and the Mediterranean partner countries is the precondition for successfully promoting and encouraging research and technological cooperation. The aim of such cooperation is to establish a Euro-Mediterranean Scientific and Technological Area. This dialogue should lead to a joint definition of mutually relevant objectives and priorities in order to target cooperation on the fields which can contribute to the security and stability of the area.

With regard to Central and Eastern Europe, the PHARE and TACIS programmes already provide support for projects with important science and technology components which contribute to economic reconstruction and development. Priority should be given to making it easier for partners from the associated Central and Eastern European and Baltic countries to participate in specific programmes under the fourth framework programme in order to support their efforts during the transitional period and assist them to prepare for future EU membership. Also, intensified cooperation with the EU in environmental protection and in the field of nuclear safety is essential for the stability of the region.

Following the recent signing of the agreement between the EU and MERCOSUR, the - until now - tentative cooperation with Latin America in the field of RTD should be increased.

The new prospects for cooperation opened up by the Europe-Asia Summit should also be taken into account.

Lastly, with particular emphasis on global aspects of the issue, it is important that the EU should make greater use of the relevant UN arrangements to contribute via multilateral negotiations to growth in developing countries. For this purpose a special instrument has just been established: the framework agreement signed in February 1996 between the EU and UNESCO.

IV Conclusions

The Committee on Foreign Affairs, Security and Defence Policy calls on the Committee on Research, Technological Development and Energy to take into account in its report the following considerations:

1. In order to increase the stability and security of Europe, it is essential for the Union to strengthen scientific and technological cooperation with its neighbouring countries. This cooperation should be targeted at the specific needs of each country and should contribute to the peace and stability of Europe.

2. Cooperation with associated Central and Eastern European and Baltic countries should aim to support the pre-accession phase by bringing these countries closer to the Union through gradual economic integration. Because of major difficulties in nuclear safety and environmental pollution, scientific cooperation in these areas should also be intensified.

3. In order to bring peace and stability to the Mediterranean area, scientific and technological cooperation should essentially be aimed at areas which contribute to the improvement of living standards and respect the principle of sustainable development. Dialogue between the Union, Member States and the Mediterranean partner countries should be intensified to identify joint research objectives based on problems common to the region. Support should also be given to south-south cooperation and integration in order to strengthen regional research and technological development capacities.

4. In order to contribute to development within a regional framework, dialogue with the Latin American countries and the MERCOSUR institutions should be stepped up. In addition, scientific and technological cooperation for development must be increased within the United Nations and in particular via the agreement signed with UNESCO.

5. International scientific and technological cooperation must be in step with the Union's external policy objectives and therefore better coordination is needed between the EU's external policies and its research policy instruments.

O P I N I O N

(Rule 147 of the Rules of Procedure)

of the Committee on External Economic Relations

for the Committee on Research, Technological Development and Energy

Draftsman: Mr Franco Malerba

At its meeting of 28 November 1995 the Committee on External Economic Relations appointed Mr Malerba draftsman.

At its meetings of 21 March 1996 and 23 April 1996 it considered the draft opinion.

At the last meeting it adopted the conclusions as a whole unanimously.

The following took part in the vote: De Clercq, chairman; Malerba, draftsman; Dimitrakopoulos (for Ferrer), Elchlepp, Izquierdo Rojo (for Imbeni), Kittelmann, KreisslDörfler, Miranda de Lage, Moniz, Schwaiger and Valdivielso de Cué.

1. The objectives of the Union's international scientific cooperation programme, based on the Commission communication under consideration, are as follows:

(a) to strengthen European competitiveness, through cooperation with partners to reinforce the scientific and technological knowledge base,

(b) to strengthen the European region in the growing worldwide competition and to enhance regional cohesion, particularly with the EEA, the associated CEECs, the Mediterranean countries and NIS;

(c) to contribute, through supporting other Union policies, to resolving global problems (in particular the environmental problem, demographic growth and international health problems).

2. It is not possible to examine here the instruments used by the Union in the field of international scientific cooperation. It is however possible to make a series of observations:

(a) particular problems of coherence and complementarity with some of the Union's policies, particularly competition policy; the Commission recognizes in fact that 'publicly financed initiatives for international RTD cooperation should not be in conflict with the state aid rules of the EC Treaty, EEA, the European Agreements, WTO and other agreements'. This statement however is not followed by a more detailed analysis;

(b) the Commission recognizes that 'the present selection of specific programmes open for cooperation with third country partners worldwide does not follow from coherent policy (...) The opening of programmes should therefore be reviewed in the 5th framework Programme and should follow a coherent decision-making process.'

(c) specific provisions on scientific and technological research should be systematically included in bilateral cooperation agreements and specific agreements on scientific and technological cooperation should be concluded in order to ensure greater reciprocal access to programmes and better intellectual property rights protection.

3. The Committee on External Economic Relations asks the Committee on Research, Technological Development and Energy to include the following points in its motion for a resolution:

AMENDMENT 1

Paragraph 6a

Calls on the Commission to intensify examination of the problems of coherence and complementarity of Union's RTD policy with the Union's policies, in particular competition policy, above all in the light of the WTO regulations and in view of future international negotiations on competition;

AMENDMENT 2

Paragraph 16a

Calls on the Commission systematically to include specific provisions on RTD in bilateral cooperation agreements, as well as concluding specific agreements on RTD;

AMENDMENT 3

Paragraph 16b

Calls on the Commission also to develop a coherent policy for selecting specific projects open to cooperation with partners in third countries.

O P I N I O N

(Rule 147 of the Rules of Procedure)

of the Committee on Development and Cooperation

for the Committee on Research, Technological Development and Energy

Draftsman: Mr Niall Andrews

At its meeting of 24 November 1995 the Committee on Development and Cooperation appointed Mr Niall Andrews draftsman.

The committee considered the draft opinion at its meeting of 20 February 1996 and adopted the conclusions as a whole unanimously at its meeting of 24 April 1996.

The following took part in the vote: Wurtz, acting chairman; Fassa, vice-chairman; Andrews, draftsman; Avgerinos (for Junker), Baldi, Corrie, Cunningham, Günther, Howitt (for Needle), Kinnock, Liese, Maij-Weggen, Martens, McGowan, Pettinari, Lord Plumb, Pons Grau, Salafranca (for Añoveros), Sandbæk, Sauquillo and Telkämper.

The early submission of the Perspectives for International Cooperation in Research and Technological Development in preparation for the fifth framework programme is welcome. As regards the part of the Commission communication of interest to the Committee on Development and Cooperation, the basic concern is to involve the developing countries in the continuing progress and achievements being secured in this area, and to ensure that they do not miss opportunities to benefit from modernization. To that end, cooperation must be fully tailored to the needs of developing countries and to the objective of raising their living standards and promoting sustainable economic development.

The rapid series of innovations occurring in the area of research and technological development, the economic upturn taking place in many developing countries and the emergence of growing numbers of newly-industrializing countries are leading to an increased demand for closer cooperation corresponding to the level of development in each country. Because of the crucial importance of technical achievements in shaping living conditions, their incorporation into development cooperation work is essential. The EU is therefore called upon to intensify cooperation with the developing countries in the area of research and technology.

Cooperation in research and development with developing countries corresponding to their specific needs is required in the following areas in particular:

- Food-supply: water economy and irrigation, agricultural research, in particular undemanding food crops adapted to local environmental and living conditions, and fertilizer production;

- Health: medical cooperation on prevention and treatment of epidemics and diseases typically observed in developing countries, in particular cholera, malaria, tuberculosis, river blindness, and on population policy;

- Environment protection and climate problems: water and air pollution, desertification, earthquake research, environmentally friendly technologies in industrial installations, biotechnology;

- Energy: environmentally friendly, renewable forms of energy.

Cooperation is favoured by the increasing receptivity of this group of countries, owing to the success of efforts to raise consciousness of the fact that science and technology really can make a contribution to solving specific development problems and to modernizing these countries. In addition, there is a growing presence of teams of technically educated staff and of research establishments capable of handling state-of-the-art technologies even in structurally weak countries. These research institutes depend crucially on international cooperation in terms of both technical specialization and finance.

The establishment of new infrastructural and human research capacities in the developing countries consequently should, where it can make a fundamental contribution to a country's development, be more strongly supported with cooperation policy funds. In addition, the EU can, by creating and setting up information and communications technologies, and by linking the developing countries up with international computer networks, equip those countries with a capability for continuously updating their state of knowledge, crucial given the rapid pace of innovation. To avoid duplication and improve the synergy effects it will be important to collect references to results obtained by different research establishments that are primarily of interest to developing countries and to enter this data in the information networks.

Similarly, it will be appropriate to organize cooperation on a regional (geographical or economic) basis. This will ensure that appropriations are used more efficiently and stimulate cooperation by different countries belonging to the same region with each other. A welcome development in this connection is the new emphasis on cooperation with nonEuropean Mediterranean States.

Priorities in cooperation should be arranged with representatives of the countries concerned. The effort should be made to ensure that the results will directly benefit participating developing-country institutions and be put to practical use in those countries.

In so far as local interests are affected, account should be taken of the socio-economic impact, and the two sides of industry, to the extent that their degree of organization allows, should also be brought in.

Processes damaging to the environment or to health, the use of which is prohibited in the Member States, self-evidently must not be propagated by the EC in developing countries either.

Conclusions

(1) Because of its importance to economic development, cooperation in the area of research and technological development should be offered in all appropriate cases with agreements on financial and technical cooperation with developing countries. The principle of reciprocity cannot of course be fully applied to agreements with developing countries, but should be taken into consideration as far as possible.

(2) In this connection, the areas of greatest concern to developing countries, such as food-supply, health, environment protection and energy should be taken into consideration, and useful applications in the countries or regions concerned should be assured. Rules applicable in the EU to environmental acceptability and the protection of life and health must not be undercut when projects are implemented in developing countries.

(3) Depending on the scope and intensity of the socio-economic impact, efforts should be made to secure participation by (representatives of) affected groups at the programming stage.

(4) So as to secure efficient use of staff, resources and equipment, cooperation should, in particular where it applies to problems common to the different countries concerned, as far as possible be organized regionally.

(5) Involving local experts at an early stage and securing their commitment to research activities and the development of technologies should ensure that solutions and procedures appropriate to the needs of developing countries will be chosen.

(6) Having regard to the low level of funds available, coordination of activities between the EU and the Member States will be crucial.