Package dealing threatens Horizon 2020

An open letter from Nobel laureates about EU-investments in knowledge is gaining momentum. The Young Academy of Europe started a petition and Sweden threatens to veto the Multiannual Financial Framework if Council decides to cut the R&D-budget. But will it be enough?

The Young Academy of Europe states that “Numerous European media reported on the open letter, inducing the German Federal Research Minister, Anette Schavan, to publish a statement in the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung. Accordingly, the German government will negotiate in favour of a strong budget in Brussels on November 22/23 for the research program ‘Horizon 2020’. This is in line with the Swedish government that announced on October 30 to veto a budget ‘made for the fifties’ that makes cuts where the EU needs to invest, naming research one of the top priorities.”

Brits should realize how much they benefit

In a reaction to the petition an the 130.000 signatures offered to him, Council President Herman Van Rompuy said that the most recent Commission proposal for a Multiannual Financial Framework “Is along  the spirit of  the Commission’s proposal and would protect Horizon 2020 from  disproportionate cuts.” Van Rompuy recommended to the people of YAE more activities “Dedicated to certain member states that already  announced to veto the recently presented compromises.”

European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said in his reaction to the Young Academy of Europe that “Especially the British Government should realize how much the UK research system benefits from EU funding.” But President Barroso also shared his concern “That the budget for Horizon 2020 is one of the candidates that might be neglected once certain alliances form and package deals with other priorities are brought to the table.”