ERA and FP6 should be non exclusive, says Minister de Donnea An absence of exclusivity in the European research area (ERA) and the Sixth Framework programme (FP6) is vital, proclaimed François-Xavier de Donnea, chair of the Research council during the Belgian Presidency, when speaking to the European Economic and Social Committee (ESC) ... An absence of exclusivity in the European research area (ERA) and the Sixth Framework programme (FP6) is vital, proclaimed François-Xavier de Donnea, chair of the Research council during the Belgian Presidency, when speaking to the European Economic and Social Committee (ESC) on 20 July. Those who may be concerned about losing out, such as small enterprises and the regions, must be encouraged to participate, said Mr de Donnea. Interrupting his tour of the EU's capital cities for this presentation, Mr de Donnea noted that he has heard similar views expressed in each Member State as in the European Parliament and the Council. The main talking points, according to Mr de Donnea, remain the role of small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in FP6, the proposed research priorities, non exclusivity of new instruments and the importance of international cooperation. Mr de Donnea again set out the Belgian priorities for the area of research: the creation of the ERA, working towards FP6, opening up European research to the rest of the world and reconciling science and society. Referring to infrastructure, Mr de Donnea stated that attentions should not focus entirely on advanced equipment, but also, and perhaps more importantly, on more 'immaterial' infrastructure such as collections, protected biotopes, clinical centres of investigation, libraries and observatories. Championing the role of the regions, Mr de Donnea asserted that the Belgian Presidency is wholly convinced that the role of the regions in the ERA should be clearly defined and reinforced. Moving on to the proposals for FP6, Mr de Donnea touched upon the subject of the allocated budget, which the ESC recently called to be increased by 50 per cent. Mr de Donnea called the proposed 17.5 billion euro reasonable: 'We need to avoid creating a climate of bidding,' said the Minister. Such a debate would prolong the adoption of FP6 to the detriment of the scientific community and would rupture the continuity between the framework programmes. Mr de Donnea was less positive about one of the proposed new tools, the implementation of Article 169, which would allow variable geometry, saying that the idea should be examined once more. The third priority of the Belgian presidency is a form of European research which is open to the world. Belgium would like to encourage cooperation with third countries, particularly with the Mediterranean countries and Mercosur. 'In fourth place, we are completely convinced of the necessity of reconciling citizens with science and technology as well as increasing the attractiveness of scientific careers for young people and women,' said Mr de Donnea. The Belgian presidency wishes to place research at the heart of political decision making in the area of health, food quality and safety, sustainable development transport and energy, Mr de Donnea added. Countries Belgium
