§ Baroness Gould of Potternewtonasked Her Majesty's Government:
What the outcome of the Research Council held in Brussels on 30 October was, and what the Government's stance, including their voting record, was on each issue discussed. [HL1260]
§ Lord Sainsbury of TurvilleThe Research Council, which was held in Luxembourg on 30 October, held a general debate on Commission proposals for the next EU Research and Development Framework Programme 2002–06, including the proposed new funding instruments, and the next EURATOM Research and Development Framework Programme 2002–06. The Government reiterated their support for 41WA a focused programme aimed at achieving added value through European co-operation and for improving the efficiency of financial arrangements. The Council agreed to set up an expert working group to examine the future development of research on nuclear fusion.
- The Council also adopted Council conclusions on the possible application of Article 169 concerning the voluntary networking of national programmes;
- received a presentation from the Commission of its Communication on the regional dimension of the European Research Area;
- received a presentation by the Commission on a draft European Community action plan on the Global Monitoring of Environmental Security (GMES) satellite initiative. The Government welcomed the emphasis on users needs in the proposed action plan, but underlined the risks of a potential overlap with the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP); and
- received information from the Commission on the networking of member states' activities in the field of therapeutic AIDS trials.
Under Other Business, the Council agreed in principle a proposal by the Belgian Presidency to set up an expert group of member states' representatives to examine the scope for co-operation in research aimed at countering bio-terrorism.
No votes were taken at the Council.