The European Parliament adopted by 530 votes to 132, with 34 abstentions, following the consultation procedure, a legislative resolution on the proposal for a Council regulation on the Research and Training Programme of the European Atomic Energy Community (2019-2020) complementing the Horizon 2020 Framework Programme for Research and Innovation.

Parliament approved the Commission proposal subject to the following amendments:

Objectives of the programme : Members considered that the programme should contribute in particular to the safe, efficient and long-term decarbonisation of the energy system. The role of the Union is to develop a framework to support joint cutting-edge research , knowledge creation and knowledge preservation on nuclear fission technologies, with special emphasis on safety, security, processing of nuclear waste, radiation protection and non-proliferation.

Its specific objectives should be as follows:

supporting safety of nuclear systems, inter alia by means of structural cross-border inspections in the case of nuclear facilities in the vicinity of one or more national borders with other Member States; contributing to cooperation at EU level and with third countries in the identification and development of safe, long-term solutions for the management of ultimate nuclear waste , including final geological disposal as well as partitioning and transmutation; improving nuclear safety including: nuclear reactor and fuel safety, waste management to prevent any undesirable impacts on man or the environment; improving nuclear security including: nuclear safeguards, non-proliferation, combating illicit trafficking, and nuclear forensics, the disposal of source materials and radioactive waste, countering cyber-attacks and reducing the risks of terrorism on nuclear power plants as well as structural cross-border inspections in the case of nuclear facilities in the vicinity of one or more national borders with other EU Member States; promoting long-term professional training to reflect permanent developments made possible by new technologies.

The Euratom programme should also contribute to the attractiveness of the research professions in the Union and help encourage young people to become involved in research in this field.

The adequate participation of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the programme, including emerging new innovative actors in the relevant research area and the private sector in general, should be ensured.

Nuclear energy : the resolution stressed that nuclear energy makes an important contribution to combating climate change and reducing Europe's dependence on imported energy. In the context of finding a sustainable energy-mix for the future, the Euratom Programme will also contribute through its research activities to maintaining the technological advantages of nuclear fission energy for a low-carbon economy.

The amended text also recognises that while it is for each Member State to choose whether or not to make use of nuclear power, it is also acknowledged that nuclear research plays an important role in all Member States, not least in the field of human health .

The Committee on Industry, Research and Energy adopted the report by Rebecca HARMS (Greens/EFA, DE) on the proposal for a Council regulation on the Research and Training Programme of the European Atomic Energy Community (2019-2020) complementing the Horizon 2020 Framework Programme for Research and Innovation.

The committee recommended that the European Parliament approve the Commission proposal subject to the following amendments:

Objectives of the programme : Members considered that the programme should contribute in particular to the safe, efficient and long-term decarbonisation of the energy system. Its specific objectives should be as follows:

supporting safety of nuclear systems, inter alia by means of structural cross-border inspections in the case of nuclear facilities in the vicinity of one or more national borders with other Member States; contributing to cooperation at EU level and with third countries in the identification and development of safe, long-term solutions for the management of ultimate nuclear waste , including final geological disposal as well as partitioning and transmutation; improving nuclear safety including: nuclear reactor and fuel safety, waste management to prevent any undesirable impacts on man or the environment; improving nuclear security including: nuclear safeguards, non-proliferation, combating illicit trafficking, and nuclear forensics, the disposal of source materials and radioactive waste, countering cyber-attacks and reducing the risks of terrorism on nuclear power plants as well as structural cross-border inspections in the case of nuclear facilities in the vicinity of one or more national borders with other EU Member States; promoting long-term professional training to reflect permanent developments made possible by new technologies.

The Euratom programme should also contribute to the attractiveness of the research professions in the Union and help encourage young people to become involved in research in this field.

The adequate participation of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the programme, including emerging new innovative actors in the relevant research area and the private sector in general, should be ensured.

Nuclear energy : the report stressed that nuclear energy makes an important contribution to combating climate change and reducing Europe's dependence on imported energy. In the context of finding a sustainable energy-mix for the future, the Euratom Programme will also contribute through its research activities to maintaining the technological advantages of nuclear fission energy for a low-carbon economy.

PURPOSE: to ensure the continuation, during the period 2019-2020, of the Union-funded research and training activities in the field of nuclear science and technology.

PROPOSED ACT: Council Regulation.

ROLE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: the Council adopts the act after consulting the European Parliament but without being obliged to follow the opinion of the European Parliament.

BACKGROUND: the interim evaluation of the Research and Training Programme of the Community 2014-2018 established by Council Regulation (Euratom) No 1314/2013 concluded that the action is relevant and continues to be instrumental in addressing challenges in nuclear safety, security and safeguards, radioactive waste management, radiation protection and fusion energy.

In order to ensure the continuity of nuclear research at Community level, the Commission deems it necessary to adopt, for the period from 1 January 2019 to 31 December 2020, a new Regulation to prolong all research activities carried out under the 2014-2018 programme, complementing the Horizon 2020 Framework Programme for Research and Innovation.

CONTENT: the Euratom programme proposal for the period 2019-2020 aims to ensure the continuation of Union-funded research and training activities in the field of nuclear science and technology in addition to the Horizon 2020 programme.

The Euratom Programme shall strengthen the research and innovation framework in the nuclear field and coordinate Member States’ research efforts, thereby avoiding duplication, retaining critical mass in key areas and ensuring public funding is used in an optimal way.

On a technical level, the Euratom Programme aims to improve nuclear safety, security and radiation protection and to contribute to the long-term decarbonisation of the energy system in a safe, efficient and secure way.

The proposal determines the budget for direct and indirect actions, sets research and development (R&D) objectives and identifies R&D support instruments.

BUDGETARY IMPLICATIONS: the financial envelope for the implementation of the Euratom Programme shall be EUR 770 220 000 . That amount shall be distributed as follows:

indirect actions for the fusion research and development programme: EUR 349 834 000; indirect actions for nuclear fission, safety and radiation protection: EUR 151 579 000; direct actions: EUR 268 807 000.

For the implementation of indirect actions of the Euratom Programme, the Commission's administrative expenditure shall account on average for no more than 6 % during the duration of the Euratom Programme.