H2020: “fundamental” to R&D in Europe

A key rapporteur of the Horizon 2020 legislation has described the future framework programme as a “fundamental instrument in structuring research and innovation in Europe”

Portuguese MEP Maria da Graça Carvalho, rapporteur for the specific programme implementing Horizon 2020, made the comments ahead of the Group Bureau Meeting in Dubrovnik, Croatia later this week. The meeting will help mark the conclusion of the country’s accession to the Union, formally becoming an EU member state on 1 July 2013.

Carvalho, who will speak about strengthening research and development at the meeting, commented: “Horizon 2020 represents a rigorously conceived programme whose goal is to promote a flexible, inclusive and simple approach that will deploy diverse funding resources as effectively as possible. Aiming to support European industry, it also contains a concerted drive to promote excellence in science whilst meeting today’s societal challenges.”

The political, economic and social situation in Croatia will also be discussed at the Dubrovnik meeting. Also in attendance will be European Vice-President Viviane Reding; Commissioner for Budget and Financial Programming Janusz Lewandowski; Joseph Daul MEP, chairman of the EPP Group; and Tomislav Karamarko, president of the Croatian Democratic Union. National legislators will also contribute to the meeting.