Funding EU research means funding British competitiveness

2.34.12pm GMT Thu 10th Mar 2005

Andrew Duff, Liberal Democrat Euro MP for the East of England welcomed the European Parliament's report laying down new guidelines for future European Union policy to support research.

Mr Duff said "Basic research has a dimension which goes beyond the member States and it has to be dealt with at European Union level and within the Lisbon agenda framework"

The report stresses three key elements of the next Research Framework Programme: the European Research Council, new research priority areas and the technological platforms which are going to be mainly financed by the industry and also by public Institutions, Member States, Regions and local authorities.

"Through the new guidelines the Members of the Parliament say that they will not play a passive role in the de-industrialization of Britain and have urged the Commission and the Council to agree on a stronger commitment for the successful growth of European research",

Mr Duff added. "I welcome in particular the proposals from Commissioner Potocnik to fight for a doubling of the EU research budget as a key element of investing in our future competitiveness."

"The East of England as a leading region in the area of Research and Development will receive new impetus from these strong and vital measures with new sectors and innovation being supported.

ENDS.