9 European security research and innovation
forum
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12918/07
COM(07) 511
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+ ADD 2
| Commission Communication on Public-Private Dialogue in Security Research and Innovation
Commission staff working document: impact assessment of the Communication
Commission staff working document: summary of the impact assessment
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| Legal base | — |
| Document originated | 11 September 2007
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| Deposited in Parliament | 21 September 2007
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| Department | Home Office |
| Basis of consideration | EM of 19 October 2007
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| Previous Committee Report | None
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| To be discussed in Council | No date fixed
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| Committee's assessment | Politically important
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| Committee's decision | Cleared
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Background
9.1 The EC's 7th Framework Programme for Research and
Development for 2007-13 includes a "Security theme",
with a budget of €1.4 billion, for research on ways to ensure
the security of the public from terrorism, serious crime, natural
disasters and industrial accidents.
9.2 The EU Framework Programme on Security and Safeguarding
Liberties 2007-13 has a budget of €745 million. It has two
specific programmes — prevention and the fight against crime;
and prevention, preparedness and consequence management of terrorism
and other security related risks.
The European Security Research and Innovation
Forum
9.3 The Commission notes that the resources for security
research are widely dispersed between the Commission, Member States,
businesses and universities. Good coordination would help make
better use of the resources, avoid duplication and encourage cooperation.
The dissemination and exploitation of research results also needs
to be improved. Security research can help improve the EC's competitiveness
and create economic growth and jobs. For these reasons the Commission
says that a dialogue is needed between the supply and demand sides
to establish a clear and shared view of the needs for, and priorities
of, security research.
9.4 With that aim in mind, the Communication announces
the creation of the European Security Research and Innovation
Forum (ESRIF). The Forum's objective is to help the European security
sector by:
- bringing together the demand
and supply sides to foster mutual trust and cooperation;
- encouraging innovative thinking and exchanging
ideas and information;
- analysing existing and planned security capability
in the light of actual and potential threats;
- strengthening the links between end-users, research
bodies, and industry; and
- drawing up a Joint Security Research Agenda by
the end of 2009.
9.5 ESRIF will comprise representatives of:
- the demand side (public authorities
and end users);
- the supply side (industry, research establishments
and universities);
- think tanks and other non-governmental bodies;
- the Commission; and
- the European Parliament and European organisations.
The Forum met for the first time in September.
The Government's view
9.6 The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at
the Home Office (Lord West of Spithead) tells us that the Government
supports the creation of ESRIF and believes that it will be the
key instrument in the development of the Joint Security Research
Agenda.
Conclusion
9.7 We do not doubt the importance of security
research and the potential benefits of closer dialogue between
all those concerned with it. In principle, therefore, we welcome
the creation of ESRIF. We shall be interested to see whether it
achieves the hopes the Commission has for it. There are no questions
we need put to the Minister at this stage. We are content, therefore,
to clear the document from scrutiny with this short report to
the House.
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