Council Regulation (Euratom) 2018/1563 of 15 October 2018 on the Research and Training Programme of the European Atomic Energy Community (2019–2020) complementing the Horizon 2020 Framework Programme for Research and Innovation

What it is

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. 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. 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…

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