PURPOSE: to adopt a\nmultiannual framework programme for nuclear research and training\nactivities (Framework Programme (2012-2013)') for the period from 1\nJanuary 2012 to 31 December 2013.
\nPROPOSED ACT: Council\nDecision.
\nBACKGROUND: joint national\nand European efforts in the area of research and training are\nessential to promote and ensure economic growth and the well-being\nof citizens in Europe. Under Article 7 of the Euratom Treaty, the\nEuratom Framework Programme is the Community's main instrument for\nsupporting and complementing Member States' activities in nuclear\nresearch and development (R&D). The existing provisions are\ncontained in Council Decision 2006/970/Euratom on the Euratom\nFramework Programme and they will expire at the end of\n2011.
\nThe proposal is for the\nadoption of a Council decision concerning Euratom's Framework\nProgramme for 2012-2013.
\nThis Framework Programme is\npart of a legislative package that contains proposals for decisions\nfor the Framework Programme itself, two Specific Programmes (for\ndirect and indirect actions), and the\nRules for\nParticipation).
\nIMPACT ASSESSMENT: in\naccordance with Article 21 of the Implementing Rules for the\nFinancial Regulation (Commission Regulation N° 2342/2002), the\nCommission has prepared an ex ante evaluation. Since this proposal\naims to continue the activities of the Euratom Framework Programme\nfor 2012-13 under the same financial perspectives, the requirement\nfor an Impact Assessment has been waived.
\nLEGAL BASIS: Article 7 of\nthe Treaty establishing the European Atomic Energy Community\n(Euratom). The added value of Euratom involvement in nuclear\nresearch is intimately linked to cross-border effects, economies of\nscale, and contributing to the resolution of market failures.\nEuratom projects in fission, fusion and radiation protection can\nallow research to achieve the required 'critical mass', while\nlowering commercial risk and levering private investment. Euratom\nactions also play a key role in transferring nuclear skills and\nknowledge across frontiers, helping to foster excellence in\nresearch and innovation.
\nCONTENT: the overall aim of\nthe proposal is to ensure the continuation of EU-funded research\nand training activities in nuclear science and technology during\nthe years 2012-13. The Euratom Framework Programme is also crucial\nif Europe is to maximise the return on investment in ITER which has\nnow entered its construction phase and relies on the continued\nsupport of Europe's fusion energy research programme. In addition,\nboth nuclear fission and fusion are identified in the SET-Plan as\nenergy technologies which Europe must develop in order to meet its\nenergy objectives.
\nThe Euratom Framework\nProgramme for 2012-13 contains broadly the same scientific,\ntechnical and strategic objectives and uses the same\nfundingschemes as the current Euratom FP7 programme\n(2007-2011). Nonetheless, the programme has evolved over the last\nfive years, and must take into account the results of recent\nresearch and the new policy context and research landscape in\nEurope. Regarding policy, the most significant development has been\nthe adoption and endorsement of the European Strategic Energy\nTechnology Plan (SET-Plan) as part of a broad portfolio\napproach to addressing future energy challenges. The Framework\nProgramme (2012-2013) will cover Community research, technological\ndevelopment, international cooperation, dissemination of technical\ninformation, exploitation activities and training, to be set out in\nthe two specific programmes.
\nThe broad objectives for\nthe Euratom Framework Programme for the years 2012-13\nare:
\nBudget for Euratom\nFramework Programme 2012-2013 (including ITER): the draft appropriations initially provided for\nnuclear research in the Multiannual Financial Framework for\n2007-2013 (MFF) are insufficient owing to the substantial cost\nincrease of the ITER project. The cost increase of the ITER\nproject was the subject of an in-depth assessment in the Commission\nCommunication \"ITER status and possible way forward\". If no\ndecision were taken on the increase of budget for ITER, Euratom's\ncontribution to ITER would be limited to the appropriations\nenvisaged for this purpose in the MFF, which would as a\nconsequence prevent Euratom from fulfilling its legal obligations\nunder the ITER agreement.
\nIn its conclusions of 12\nJuly 2010, the Council reaffirmed its commitment to ITER,\nacknowledged its increased financing needs and set out a\nnumber of guidelines on cost containment and management. The\nCouncil agreed on a EUR 6.6 billion limit of the European\ncontribution to the construction phase of ITER until 2020. This\nincludes EUR 1.4 billion during period of 2012-2013. The Council\nalso mandated the Commission to support the adoption of the ITER\nBaseline, which prompted the Commission's proposal to amend the\nMultiannual Financial Framework, to address additional financing\nneeds of ITER
\nAt the extraordinary ITER\nCouncil meeting of 28 July 2010 the Baseline was adopted. Euratom's\nsupport was given ad referendum. The European Parliament and the\nCouncil are still to approve the Commission's proposed\namendments.
\nFollowing Commission's\nproposal to amend the MFF, the Council reached an agreement in\nNovember 2010 on the use of existing margins of the 2010 budget and\nredeployment within the MFF and 7th EU Research Framework Programme\nto cover the additional ITER needs at the level of EUR 1.3 billion,\ni.e. 100 million short of the needs of EUR 1.4 billion acknowledged\nby the Council conclusions of 12 July 2010. The reduction of EUR\n100 million for the period 2012-2013 does not contradict, nor\ncancel, the Council's commitment to an overall European\ncontribution to the ITER construction costs at the level of EUR 6.6\nbillion.
\nIn the context of the\nconciliation procedure for the 2011 budget and the related\ndiscussion on the flexibility instrument, the budgetary authority\ndid not conclude an agreement on additional European funding for\nITER. Therefore, a decision on that matter, based on the\nCommission's proposal will have to be taken as soon as possible\nduring 2011. The Commission proposes that, in these circumstances,\nthe legislative process concerning proposals for Euratom FP for\n2012-13 will be carried out in parallel to the continuing\ndiscussion on the budget for ITER and the 2012 budget. Agreement on\nadditional funding will allow for swift adoption of the Euratom\nresearch programme in 2011, a decision that will be important in\nview of maintaining Euratom's support for exploitation of nuclear\nfacilities such as JET as well as JRC direct\nactions.
\nBUDGETARY IMPLICATION: the\nmaximum amount for the implementation of the Framework Programme\n(2012-2013) shall be EUR 2 560 270 000. This amount shall be\ndistributed as follows (in EUR): (i) for the specific programme, to\nbe carried out by means of indirect actions: - fusion energy\nresearch 2 208 809 000; nuclear fission and radiation protection\n118 245 000; (ii) for the specific programme, to be carried out by\nmeans of direct actions: nuclear activities of the JRC 233\n216 000.
\nFollowing a public\ndebate, the Council took note of a progress report submitted by\nthe Presidency on the proposal for extending, for a two-year\nperiod, the current European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom)\nframework programme, which expires at the end of 2011. A number of\ndelegations asked to continue efforts in order to achieve an\nagreement on the proposal as soon as possible.
\nThe proposal will extend\nthe Euratom programme in order to align it with the end of the EU's\ncurrent financial cycle in 2013. Euratom programmes are limited by\nthe Euratom Treaty to five years, whereas the general 7th framework\nprogramme for research, which runs until end 2013, lasts for seven\nyears.
\nThe Committee on Industry,\nResearch and Energy adopted the report by Jan BREZINA (EPP, CZ) on\nthe proposal for a Council decision concerning the Framework\nProgramme of the European Atomic Energy Community for nuclear\nresearch and training activities (2012-2013).
\nIt recommended that the\nEuropean Parliament made some amendments to the Commission\nproposal. The committee considers that the prime reference amount\nset in the legislative proposal is not compatible with the ceiling\nof Heading 1a of the current Multiannual Financial Framework 2007-\n2013 (MFF). It takes note of the Commission proposal to revise\nthe current MFF in order to accommodate the additional unforeseen\nfunding for ITER for the years 2012-2013, and it is willing to\nenter into negotiations with the other arm of the budgetary\nauthority with a view to reaching a swift agreement on the\nfinancing of the Euratom research programme by the end of 2011.\nMembers recall their opposition to any form of redeployment from\nthe Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for\nresearch, technological development and demonstration activities\n(2007-2013) as proposed in the Commission proposal.
\nThe main amendments to the\nproposal are as follows:
\nNuclear\nsafety: the report states that the\nimprovement of nuclear safety and, where relevant, security\naspects, should be prioritised given the possible cross-border\nimpact of nuclear incidents. In view of the accident at the\nFukushima nuclear power plant in Japan resulting from the\nearthquake and tsunami of 11 March 2011, additional research work\nin the field of nuclear fission safety is necessary in order to\nreassure Union citizens that the safety of nuclear facilities based\nin the Union continues to meet the highest international standards.\nSuch additional work requires an increase in the budget allocation\nfor nuclear fission.
\nAdditional funding of\nITER: an agreement on additional\nfunding of ITER solely through transfers of unused 2011 margins of\nthe Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) and without redeployments\nfrom the Seventh EU Framework\nProgramme (2007-2013) to the Framework Programme\n(2012-2013) would allow for swift adoption of the programme in\n2011.
\nA recital states that to\naccommodate the Framework Programme (2012-2013) in the MFF for the\nyears 2012 and 2013, it will be necessary to amend the MFF by\nincreasing the ceiling of Heading 1a. If no other 2011 MFF margins\nare available to be transferred in 2012 and 2013, the Flexibility\nInstrument, as provided for in point 27 of the IIA, should be\nmobilised.
\nFor the 2014-2020 MFF, the\nfinancial resources dedicated to the ITER project should be fixed\nfor the whole programming period so that any over-running of the\ncosts beyond the EU share of EUR 6.6 billion for the ITER\nconstruction period, currently planned to be finalised in 2020,\nshould be financed outside the MFF ceilings ('ring\nfencing').
\nFramework\nProgramme: the report stresses the\nneed to place particular emphasis on nuclear safety, security and\nradiation protection.
\nIt adds that the Framework\nProgramme (2012-2013) shall contribute to implementing the\nSET-plan. Its actions should take into account the Strategic\nResearch Agenda of the three existing European technology platforms\non nuclear energy: SNETP, IGDTP and MELODI. Members consider that\nmore emphasis could be put on the need for coherence between the\nresearch and training activities to be pursued in 2012-2013 and the\nstrategic research agendas of three major European cooperative\ninitiatives which have been launched under the 7th\nEuratom framework program: the European Sustainable Nuclear\nIndustrial Initiative under SET-Plan (encompassing the Sustainable\nNuclear Energy Technology Platform - SNETP - and the Implementing\nGeological Disposal Technology Platform - IGDTP) and the\nMultidisciplinary European Low-Dose Initiative (MELODI).
\nFunding:\nthe maximum amount for the implementation of the\nFramework Programme (2012-2013) shall be EUR 2 100270 000\n(rather than EUR 2 560270 000). This amount shall be\ndistributed as follows:
\nSpecial attention shall be\npaid to the development of contractual arrangements that reduce the\nrisk of failure to perform as well as the reallocation of risks and\ncosts over time.
\nMonitoring, assessment\nand review: Member States and the\nCommission shall establish a review of professional qualifications,\ntraining and skills in the nuclear field in the Union, which\ngives an overall picture of the current situation and enable\nappropriate solutions to be identified and implemented.
\nAnnex: on nuclear fission and radiation protection, the\nreport states that special attention should be given to long-lived\nnuclear waste when decommissioning outdated systems. It stresses\ncontinued support for the retention and development of\nqualified personnel required to maintain the nuclear independence\nof the Union and consistently ensure, and improve the\nlevel of, nuclear safety. It is crucial to keep nuclear expertise\nin the Union, as regards radioprotection and the dismantling\nof nuclear facilities, as nuclear energy will play a key role\nin the Union's energy mix, including decommissioning and\nlong-life waste-management activities.
\nLastly, the committee\nstates that the management of European research funding should be\nmore trust-based and risk-tolerant towards participants at all\nstages of the projects, while ensuring accountability, with\nflexible Union rules to improve alignment, where possible,\nwith existing different national regulations and recognised\naccounting practices. It adds that it is necessary to strike a\nbalance between trust and control - between risk taking and the\ndangers that risk involves - in ensuring the sound financial\nmanagement of Union research funds.
\nThe European Parliament adopted a non-legislative\nresolution amending the proposal for a Council decision concerning\nthe Framework Programme of the European Atomic Energy Community for\nnuclear research and training activities (2012-2013).
\nParliament considers that the prime reference amount\nset in the legislative proposal is not compatible with the ceiling\nof Heading 1a of the current Multiannual Financial Framework 2007-\n2013 (MFF). It takes note of the Commission proposal to revise\nthe current MFF in order to accommodate the additional unforeseen\nfunding for ITER for the years 2012-2013, and it is willing to\nenter into negotiations with the other arm of the budgetary\nauthority with a view to reaching a swift agreement on the\nfinancing of the Euratom research programme by the end of 2011.\nMembers recall their opposition to any form of redeployment from\nthe Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for\nresearch, technological development and demonstration activities\n(2007-2013) as proposed in the Commission proposal.
\nThe main amendments to the proposal are as\nfollows:
\nNuclear safety:\nParliament states that the improvement of nuclear safety and, where\nrelevant, security aspects, should be prioritised given the\npossible cross-border impact of nuclear incidents. In view of the\naccident at the Fukushima nuclear power plant in Japan resulting\nfrom the earthquake and tsunami of 11 March 2011, additional\nresearch work in the field of nuclear fission safety is necessary\nin order to reassure Union citizens that the safety of nuclear\nfacilities based in the Union continues to meet the highest\ninternational standards. Such additional work requires an increase\nin the budget allocation for nuclear fission.
\nAdditional funding of ITER: an agreement on additional funding of ITER solely\nthrough transfers of unused 2011 margins of the Multiannual\nFinancial Framework (MFF) and without redeployments from the\nSeventh EU Framework Programme (2007-2013) to\nthe Framework Programme (2012-2013) would allow for swift\nadoption of the programme in 2011.
\nA recital states that to accommodate the Framework\nProgramme (2012-2013) in the MFF for the years 2012 and 2013, it\nwill be necessary to amend the MFF by increasing the ceiling of\nHeading 1a. If no other 2011 MFF margins are available to be\ntransferred in 2012 and 2013, the Flexibility Instrument, as\nprovided for in point 27 of the IIA, should be\nmobilised.
\nFor the 2014-2020 MFF, the financial resources\ndedicated to the ITER project should be fixed for the whole\nprogramming period so that any over-running of the costs beyond the\nEU share of EUR 6.6 billion for the ITER construction period,\ncurrently planned to be finalised in 2020, should be financed\noutside the MFF ceilings ('ring fencing').
\nParliament adds that the Framework Programme\n(2012-2013) should be on the one hand be open to the participation\nof countries that have concluded the necessary agreements to this\neffect, and should also be open, at project level and on the basis\nof mutual benefit, to the participation of entities from third\ncountries and of international organisations for scientific\ncooperation. On the other hand, this also means that, particularly\nwith regard to the ITER project, the international partners should\nfully respect their financial obligations.
\nFramework Programme: the\nresolution stresses the need to place particular emphasis on\nnuclear safety, security and radiation protection.
\nIt adds that the Framework Programme\n(2012-2013) shall contribute to implementing the SET-plan. Its\nactions should take into account the Strategic Research Agenda of\nthe three existing European technology platforms on nuclear energy:\nSNETP, IGDTP and MELODI.
\nFunding: the maximum amount for the implementation of the\nFramework Programme (2012-2013) shall be EUR 2 100270 000\n(rather than EUR 2 560270 000). This amount shall be\ndistributed as follows:
\nSpecial attention shall be paid to the development of\ncontractual arrangements that reduce the risk of failure to perform\nas well as the reallocation of risks and costs over\ntime.
\nSpecial attention shall also be paid to initiatives\nancillary to core nuclear research, in particular as regards\ninvestment in human capital and adequate working conditions and\nactions aimed at addressing the risk of skills shortages in the\ncoming years.
\nMonitoring, assessment and review: Member States and the Commission shall establish a\nreview of professional qualifications, training and skills in the\nnuclear field in the Union, which gives an overall picture of\nthe current situation and enable appropriate solutions to be\nidentified and implemented.
\nAnnex: on nuclear\nfission and radiation protection, Parliament states that special\nattention should be given to long-lived nuclear waste when\ndecommissioning outdated systems. It stresses\ncontinued support for the retention and development of\nqualified personnel required to maintain the nuclear independence\nof the Union and consistently ensure, and improve the\nlevel of, nuclear safety. It is crucial to keep nuclear expertise\nin the Union, as regards radioprotection and the dismantling\nof nuclear facilities, as nuclear energy will play a key role\nin the Union's energy mix, including decommissioning and\nlong-life waste-management activities.
\nLastly, Parliament states that the management of\nEuropean research funding should be more trust-based and\nrisk-tolerant towards participants at all stages of the projects,\nwhile ensuring accountability, with flexible Union rules to\nimprove alignment, where possible, with existing different national\nregulations and recognised accounting practices. It adds that it is\nnecessary to strike a balance between trust and control –\nbetween risk taking and the dangers that risk involves – in\nensuring the sound financial management of Union research\nfunds.
\nPURPOSE: to adopt a\nmultiannual framework programme for nuclear research and training\nactivities (Framework Programme (2012-2013)') for the period from 1\nJanuary 2012 to 31 December 2013.
\nPROPOSED ACT: Council\nDecision.
\nBACKGROUND: joint national\nand European efforts in the area of research and training are\nessential to promote and ensure economic growth and the well-being\nof citizens in Europe. Under Article 7 of the Euratom Treaty, the\nEuratom Framework Programme is the Community's main instrument for\nsupporting and complementing Member States' activities in nuclear\nresearch and development (R&D). The existing provisions are\ncontained in Council Decision 2006/970/Euratom on the Euratom\nFramework Programme and they will expire at the end of\n2011.
\nThe proposal is for the\nadoption of a Council decision concerning Euratom's Framework\nProgramme for 2012-2013.
\nThis Framework Programme is\npart of a legislative package that contains proposals for decisions\nfor the Framework Programme itself, two Specific Programmes (for\ndirect and indirect actions), and the\nRules for\nParticipation).
\nIMPACT ASSESSMENT: in\naccordance with Article 21 of the Implementing Rules for the\nFinancial Regulation (Commission Regulation N° 2342/2002), the\nCommission has prepared an ex ante evaluation. Since this proposal\naims to continue the activities of the Euratom Framework Programme\nfor 2012-13 under the same financial perspectives, the requirement\nfor an Impact Assessment has been waived.
\nLEGAL BASIS: Article 7 of\nthe Treaty establishing the European Atomic Energy Community\n(Euratom). The added value of Euratom involvement in nuclear\nresearch is intimately linked to cross-border effects, economies of\nscale, and contributing to the resolution of market failures.\nEuratom projects in fission, fusion and radiation protection can\nallow research to achieve the required 'critical mass', while\nlowering commercial risk and levering private investment. Euratom\nactions also play a key role in transferring nuclear skills and\nknowledge across frontiers, helping to foster excellence in\nresearch and innovation.
\nCONTENT: the overall aim of\nthe proposal is to ensure the continuation of EU-funded research\nand training activities in nuclear science and technology during\nthe years 2012-13. The Euratom Framework Programme is also crucial\nif Europe is to maximise the return on investment in ITER which has\nnow entered its construction phase and relies on the continued\nsupport of Europe's fusion energy research programme. In addition,\nboth nuclear fission and fusion are identified in the SET-Plan as\nenergy technologies which Europe must develop in order to meet its\nenergy objectives.
\nThe Euratom Framework\nProgramme for 2012-13 contains broadly the same scientific,\ntechnical and strategic objectives and uses the same\nfundingschemes as the current Euratom FP7 programme\n(2007-2011). Nonetheless, the programme has evolved over the last\nfive years, and must take into account the results of recent\nresearch and the new policy context and research landscape in\nEurope. Regarding policy, the most significant development has been\nthe adoption and endorsement of the European Strategic Energy\nTechnology Plan (SET-Plan) as part of a broad portfolio\napproach to addressing future energy challenges. The Framework\nProgramme (2012-2013) will cover Community research, technological\ndevelopment, international cooperation, dissemination of technical\ninformation, exploitation activities and training, to be set out in\nthe two specific programmes.
\nThe broad objectives for\nthe Euratom Framework Programme for the years 2012-13\nare:
\nBudget for Euratom\nFramework Programme 2012-2013 (including ITER): the draft appropriations initially provided for\nnuclear research in the Multiannual Financial Framework for\n2007-2013 (MFF) are insufficient owing to the substantial cost\nincrease of the ITER project. The cost increase of the ITER\nproject was the subject of an in-depth assessment in the Commission\nCommunication \"ITER status and possible way forward\". If no\ndecision were taken on the increase of budget for ITER, Euratom's\ncontribution to ITER would be limited to the appropriations\nenvisaged for this purpose in the MFF, which would as a\nconsequence prevent Euratom from fulfilling its legal obligations\nunder the ITER agreement.
\nIn its conclusions of 12\nJuly 2010, the Council reaffirmed its commitment to ITER,\nacknowledged its increased financing needs and set out a\nnumber of guidelines on cost containment and management. The\nCouncil agreed on a EUR 6.6 billion limit of the European\ncontribution to the construction phase of ITER until 2020. This\nincludes EUR 1.4 billion during period of 2012-2013. The Council\nalso mandated the Commission to support the adoption of the ITER\nBaseline, which prompted the Commission's proposal to amend the\nMultiannual Financial Framework, to address additional financing\nneeds of ITER
\nAt the extraordinary ITER\nCouncil meeting of 28 July 2010 the Baseline was adopted. Euratom's\nsupport was given ad referendum. The European Parliament and the\nCouncil are still to approve the Commission's proposed\namendments.
\nFollowing Commission's\nproposal to amend the MFF, the Council reached an agreement in\nNovember 2010 on the use of existing margins of the 2010 budget and\nredeployment within the MFF and 7th EU Research Framework Programme\nto cover the additional ITER needs at the level of EUR 1.3 billion,\ni.e. 100 million short of the needs of EUR 1.4 billion acknowledged\nby the Council conclusions of 12 July 2010. The reduction of EUR\n100 million for the period 2012-2013 does not contradict, nor\ncancel, the Council's commitment to an overall European\ncontribution to the ITER construction costs at the level of EUR 6.6\nbillion.
\nIn the context of the\nconciliation procedure for the 2011 budget and the related\ndiscussion on the flexibility instrument, the budgetary authority\ndid not conclude an agreement on additional European funding for\nITER. Therefore, a decision on that matter, based on the\nCommission's proposal will have to be taken as soon as possible\nduring 2011. The Commission proposes that, in these circumstances,\nthe legislative process concerning proposals for Euratom FP for\n2012-13 will be carried out in parallel to the continuing\ndiscussion on the budget for ITER and the 2012 budget. Agreement on\nadditional funding will allow for swift adoption of the Euratom\nresearch programme in 2011, a decision that will be important in\nview of maintaining Euratom's support for exploitation of nuclear\nfacilities such as JET as well as JRC direct\nactions.
\nBUDGETARY IMPLICATION: the\nmaximum amount for the implementation of the Framework Programme\n(2012-2013) shall be EUR 2 560 270 000. This amount shall be\ndistributed as follows (in EUR): (i) for the specific programme, to\nbe carried out by means of indirect actions: - fusion energy\nresearch 2 208 809 000; nuclear fission and radiation protection\n118 245 000; (ii) for the specific programme, to be carried out by\nmeans of direct actions: nuclear activities of the JRC 233\n216 000.
\nFollowing a public\ndebate, the Council took note of a progress report submitted by\nthe Presidency on the proposal for extending, for a two-year\nperiod, the current European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom)\nframework programme, which expires at the end of 2011. A number of\ndelegations asked to continue efforts in order to achieve an\nagreement on the proposal as soon as possible.
\nThe proposal will extend\nthe Euratom programme in order to align it with the end of the EU's\ncurrent financial cycle in 2013. Euratom programmes are limited by\nthe Euratom Treaty to five years, whereas the general 7th framework\nprogramme for research, which runs until end 2013, lasts for seven\nyears.
\nThe Committee on Industry,\nResearch and Energy adopted the report by Jan BREZINA (EPP, CZ) on\nthe proposal for a Council decision concerning the Framework\nProgramme of the European Atomic Energy Community for nuclear\nresearch and training activities (2012-2013).
\nIt recommended that the\nEuropean Parliament made some amendments to the Commission\nproposal. The committee considers that the prime reference amount\nset in the legislative proposal is not compatible with the ceiling\nof Heading 1a of the current Multiannual Financial Framework 2007-\n2013 (MFF). It takes note of the Commission proposal to revise\nthe current MFF in order to accommodate the additional unforeseen\nfunding for ITER for the years 2012-2013, and it is willing to\nenter into negotiations with the other arm of the budgetary\nauthority with a view to reaching a swift agreement on the\nfinancing of the Euratom research programme by the end of 2011.\nMembers recall their opposition to any form of redeployment from\nthe Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for\nresearch, technological development and demonstration activities\n(2007-2013) as proposed in the Commission proposal.
\nThe main amendments to the\nproposal are as follows:
\nNuclear\nsafety: the report states that the\nimprovement of nuclear safety and, where relevant, security\naspects, should be prioritised given the possible cross-border\nimpact of nuclear incidents. In view of the accident at the\nFukushima nuclear power plant in Japan resulting from the\nearthquake and tsunami of 11 March 2011, additional research work\nin the field of nuclear fission safety is necessary in order to\nreassure Union citizens that the safety of nuclear facilities based\nin the Union continues to meet the highest international standards.\nSuch additional work requires an increase in the budget allocation\nfor nuclear fission.
\nAdditional funding of\nITER: an agreement on additional\nfunding of ITER solely through transfers of unused 2011 margins of\nthe Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) and without redeployments\nfrom the Seventh EU Framework\nProgramme (2007-2013) to the Framework Programme\n(2012-2013) would allow for swift adoption of the programme in\n2011.
\nA recital states that to\naccommodate the Framework Programme (2012-2013) in the MFF for the\nyears 2012 and 2013, it will be necessary to amend the MFF by\nincreasing the ceiling of Heading 1a. If no other 2011 MFF margins\nare available to be transferred in 2012 and 2013, the Flexibility\nInstrument, as provided for in point 27 of the IIA, should be\nmobilised.
\nFor the 2014-2020 MFF, the\nfinancial resources dedicated to the ITER project should be fixed\nfor the whole programming period so that any over-running of the\ncosts beyond the EU share of EUR 6.6 billion for the ITER\nconstruction period, currently planned to be finalised in 2020,\nshould be financed outside the MFF ceilings ('ring\nfencing').
\nFramework\nProgramme: the report stresses the\nneed to place particular emphasis on nuclear safety, security and\nradiation protection.
\nIt adds that the Framework\nProgramme (2012-2013) shall contribute to implementing the\nSET-plan. Its actions should take into account the Strategic\nResearch Agenda of the three existing European technology platforms\non nuclear energy: SNETP, IGDTP and MELODI. Members consider that\nmore emphasis could be put on the need for coherence between the\nresearch and training activities to be pursued in 2012-2013 and the\nstrategic research agendas of three major European cooperative\ninitiatives which have been launched under the 7th\nEuratom framework program: the European Sustainable Nuclear\nIndustrial Initiative under SET-Plan (encompassing the Sustainable\nNuclear Energy Technology Platform - SNETP - and the Implementing\nGeological Disposal Technology Platform - IGDTP) and the\nMultidisciplinary European Low-Dose Initiative (MELODI).
\nFunding:\nthe maximum amount for the implementation of the\nFramework Programme (2012-2013) shall be EUR 2 100270 000\n(rather than EUR 2 560270 000). This amount shall be\ndistributed as follows:
\nSpecial attention shall be\npaid to the development of contractual arrangements that reduce the\nrisk of failure to perform as well as the reallocation of risks and\ncosts over time.
\nMonitoring, assessment\nand review: Member States and the\nCommission shall establish a review of professional qualifications,\ntraining and skills in the nuclear field in the Union, which\ngives an overall picture of the current situation and enable\nappropriate solutions to be identified and implemented.
\nAnnex: on nuclear fission and radiation protection, the\nreport states that special attention should be given to long-lived\nnuclear waste when decommissioning outdated systems. It stresses\ncontinued support for the retention and development of\nqualified personnel required to maintain the nuclear independence\nof the Union and consistently ensure, and improve the\nlevel of, nuclear safety. It is crucial to keep nuclear expertise\nin the Union, as regards radioprotection and the dismantling\nof nuclear facilities, as nuclear energy will play a key role\nin the Union's energy mix, including decommissioning and\nlong-life waste-management activities.
\nLastly, the committee\nstates that the management of European research funding should be\nmore trust-based and risk-tolerant towards participants at all\nstages of the projects, while ensuring accountability, with\nflexible Union rules to improve alignment, where possible,\nwith existing different national regulations and recognised\naccounting practices. It adds that it is necessary to strike a\nbalance between trust and control - between risk taking and the\ndangers that risk involves - in ensuring the sound financial\nmanagement of Union research funds.
\nThe European Parliament adopted a non-legislative\nresolution amending the proposal for a Council decision concerning\nthe Framework Programme of the European Atomic Energy Community for\nnuclear research and training activities (2012-2013).
\nParliament considers that the prime reference amount\nset in the legislative proposal is not compatible with the ceiling\nof Heading 1a of the current Multiannual Financial Framework 2007-\n2013 (MFF). It takes note of the Commission proposal to revise\nthe current MFF in order to accommodate the additional unforeseen\nfunding for ITER for the years 2012-2013, and it is willing to\nenter into negotiations with the other arm of the budgetary\nauthority with a view to reaching a swift agreement on the\nfinancing of the Euratom research programme by the end of 2011.\nMembers recall their opposition to any form of redeployment from\nthe Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for\nresearch, technological development and demonstration activities\n(2007-2013) as proposed in the Commission proposal.
\nThe main amendments to the proposal are as\nfollows:
\nNuclear safety:\nParliament states that the improvement of nuclear safety and, where\nrelevant, security aspects, should be prioritised given the\npossible cross-border impact of nuclear incidents. In view of the\naccident at the Fukushima nuclear power plant in Japan resulting\nfrom the earthquake and tsunami of 11 March 2011, additional\nresearch work in the field of nuclear fission safety is necessary\nin order to reassure Union citizens that the safety of nuclear\nfacilities based in the Union continues to meet the highest\ninternational standards. Such additional work requires an increase\nin the budget allocation for nuclear fission.
\nAdditional funding of ITER: an agreement on additional funding of ITER solely\nthrough transfers of unused 2011 margins of the Multiannual\nFinancial Framework (MFF) and without redeployments from the\nSeventh EU Framework Programme (2007-2013) to\nthe Framework Programme (2012-2013) would allow for swift\nadoption of the programme in 2011.
\nA recital states that to accommodate the Framework\nProgramme (2012-2013) in the MFF for the years 2012 and 2013, it\nwill be necessary to amend the MFF by increasing the ceiling of\nHeading 1a. If no other 2011 MFF margins are available to be\ntransferred in 2012 and 2013, the Flexibility Instrument, as\nprovided for in point 27 of the IIA, should be\nmobilised.
\nFor the 2014-2020 MFF, the financial resources\ndedicated to the ITER project should be fixed for the whole\nprogramming period so that any over-running of the costs beyond the\nEU share of EUR 6.6 billion for the ITER construction period,\ncurrently planned to be finalised in 2020, should be financed\noutside the MFF ceilings ('ring fencing').
\nParliament adds that the Framework Programme\n(2012-2013) should be on the one hand be open to the participation\nof countries that have concluded the necessary agreements to this\neffect, and should also be open, at project level and on the basis\nof mutual benefit, to the participation of entities from third\ncountries and of international organisations for scientific\ncooperation. On the other hand, this also means that, particularly\nwith regard to the ITER project, the international partners should\nfully respect their financial obligations.
\nFramework Programme: the\nresolution stresses the need to place particular emphasis on\nnuclear safety, security and radiation protection.
\nIt adds that the Framework Programme\n(2012-2013) shall contribute to implementing the SET-plan. Its\nactions should take into account the Strategic Research Agenda of\nthe three existing European technology platforms on nuclear energy:\nSNETP, IGDTP and MELODI.
\nFunding: the maximum amount for the implementation of the\nFramework Programme (2012-2013) shall be EUR 2 100270 000\n(rather than EUR 2 560270 000). This amount shall be\ndistributed as follows:
\nSpecial attention shall be paid to the development of\ncontractual arrangements that reduce the risk of failure to perform\nas well as the reallocation of risks and costs over\ntime.
\nSpecial attention shall also be paid to initiatives\nancillary to core nuclear research, in particular as regards\ninvestment in human capital and adequate working conditions and\nactions aimed at addressing the risk of skills shortages in the\ncoming years.
\nMonitoring, assessment and review: Member States and the Commission shall establish a\nreview of professional qualifications, training and skills in the\nnuclear field in the Union, which gives an overall picture of\nthe current situation and enable appropriate solutions to be\nidentified and implemented.
\nAnnex: on nuclear\nfission and radiation protection, Parliament states that special\nattention should be given to long-lived nuclear waste when\ndecommissioning outdated systems. It stresses\ncontinued support for the retention and development of\nqualified personnel required to maintain the nuclear independence\nof the Union and consistently ensure, and improve the\nlevel of, nuclear safety. It is crucial to keep nuclear expertise\nin the Union, as regards radioprotection and the dismantling\nof nuclear facilities, as nuclear energy will play a key role\nin the Union's energy mix, including decommissioning and\nlong-life waste-management activities.
\nLastly, Parliament states that the management of\nEuropean research funding should be more trust-based and\nrisk-tolerant towards participants at all stages of the projects,\nwhile ensuring accountability, with flexible Union rules to\nimprove alignment, where possible, with existing different national\nregulations and recognised accounting practices. It adds that it is\nnecessary to strike a balance between trust and control –\nbetween risk taking and the dangers that risk involves – in\nensuring the sound financial management of Union research\nfunds.
\nThis ex-ante evaluation\naccompanies the legislative package of Commission's proposals for\nthe Euratom nuclear research and training activities\n(2012-13).
\nThe legislative package\nconsists of:
\nThe legislative package\naims to continue supporting R&D actions in the nuclear field\ncarried out under the 7th Euratom Framework Programme (2007-2011).\nThe proposals will only cover two years (2012-13), in accordance\nwith the current financial perspectives (2007-2013) and in line\nwith the timeframe of the EU 7th Framework Programme\n(2007-2013).
\nResearch co-funded by\nEuratom plays an important role in enhancing the safety, resource\nefficiency and cost-effectiveness of nuclear fission and other uses\nof radiation in industry and medicine, and some of the research\nproject are playing a key initiating role in the recently launched\nEuropean Sustainable Nuclear Industrial Initiative (ESNII),\none of the six European industrial initiatives launched under the\nEuropean Strategic Energy Technology\nPlan (SET-plan) in 2010.
\nThe proposals for the\nEuratom Framework Programme are clearly linked to the objectives of\nthe Europe 2020 and Energy 2020 strategies. The\nprogramme will contribute to the Innovation Union flagship by\nsupporting pre-commercial research and facilitating technology\ntransfer process between academia and industry and to the Resource\nefficient Europe flagship by greatly increasing the overall\nsustainability of nuclear energy. By putting emphasis on training\nin all its activities, boosting competitiveness in the current\nnuclear industry and creating a new sector of high-tech industry\nfor fusion energy in particular, the Euratom programme will\nlead to growth and new jobs in a wide range of disciplines.\nProposals for the Euratom Framework Programme follow up the\nconclusions of the European Council (4 February 2011) which agreed\nthat the EU and its Member States will promote investment in\nrenewables, safe and sustainable low carbon technologies and focus\non implementing the technology priorities established in the\nSET-plan. Both nuclear fission and fusion are identified in the\nSET-Plan as energy technologies which Europe must maintain, develop\nand deploy in order to meet its short and longer term energy\nobjectives.
\nLastly, proposals for the\nEuratom Framework Programme (2012-2013) take account of the\nsimplification process, launched by the Commission in 2010,\nwhich makes current and future research programme more attractive\nand more accessible to the best researchers and most innovative\ncompanies. Simplification measures for the Euratom Framework\nProgramme (2012-2013) will be implemented through the Commission\ndecision C(2011)174 of 24 January 2011.
\nThis ex-ante evaluation\naccompanies the legislative package of Commission's proposals for\nthe Euratom nuclear research and training activities\n(2012-13).
\nThe legislative package\nconsists of:
\nThe legislative package\naims to continue supporting R&D actions in the nuclear field\ncarried out under the 7th Euratom Framework Programme (2007-2011).\nThe proposals will only cover two years (2012-13), in accordance\nwith the current financial perspectives (2007-2013) and in line\nwith the timeframe of the EU 7th Framework Programme\n(2007-2013).
\nResearch co-funded by\nEuratom plays an important role in enhancing the safety, resource\nefficiency and cost-effectiveness of nuclear fission and other uses\nof radiation in industry and medicine, and some of the research\nproject are playing a key initiating role in the recently launched\nEuropean Sustainable Nuclear Industrial Initiative (ESNII),\none of the six European industrial initiatives launched under the\nEuropean Strategic Energy Technology\nPlan (SET-plan) in 2010.
\nThe proposals for the\nEuratom Framework Programme are clearly linked to the objectives of\nthe Europe 2020 and Energy 2020 strategies. The\nprogramme will contribute to the Innovation Union flagship by\nsupporting pre-commercial research and facilitating technology\ntransfer process between academia and industry and to the Resource\nefficient Europe flagship by greatly increasing the overall\nsustainability of nuclear energy. By putting emphasis on training\nin all its activities, boosting competitiveness in the current\nnuclear industry and creating a new sector of high-tech industry\nfor fusion energy in particular, the Euratom programme will\nlead to growth and new jobs in a wide range of disciplines.\nProposals for the Euratom Framework Programme follow up the\nconclusions of the European Council (4 February 2011) which agreed\nthat the EU and its Member States will promote investment in\nrenewables, safe and sustainable low carbon technologies and focus\non implementing the technology priorities established in the\nSET-plan. Both nuclear fission and fusion are identified in the\nSET-Plan as energy technologies which Europe must maintain, develop\nand deploy in order to meet its short and longer term energy\nobjectives.
\nLastly, proposals for the\nEuratom Framework Programme (2012-2013) take account of the\nsimplification process, launched by the Commission in 2010,\nwhich makes current and future research programme more attractive\nand more accessible to the best researchers and most innovative\ncompanies. Simplification measures for the Euratom Framework\nProgramme (2012-2013) will be implemented through the Commission\ndecision C(2011)174 of 24 January 2011.
\n