EU stimulates research and technology to improve citizens’ security

The Commission’s security research work programme for 2005 aims to
protect citizens against terrorism and enhance overall crisis
management such as evacuation, search and rescue operations.

The Commission adopted, on 4 February 2005, the work programme 2005 for the Preparatory Action in the field of Security Research (PASR). At the same time it published
a new call for proposals for projects and supporting activities in the
framework of the PASR.

The priorities of the new call include security and
protection of networked systems; protection against terrorism;
enhancing crisis management; interoperability and integration of
communications systems; and improving situation
awareness for example in crisis management
and anti-terrorism activities.

Overall, the activities will aim at the enhancement of
the European industrial potential in the field of security
research. The results of the projects and supporting
activities should contribute to providing the basis
for the future European Security Research Programme (ESRP), set to
be an integral part of FP7 and expected to be launched in
2007. 

The ESRP will aim to foster the competitiveness of the
European security industries and stimulate the development of the
market (public and private) for security products and
systems. Security research is already included in the EU’s
proposed long-term budget plans for 2007-2013.

The next steps towards the European
security research programme: 

• The deadline for submitting tender documents for the new call
  will be 3 May 2005. 
• The ‘European Security Research Advisory Board’ (ESRAB) will be
  established in February 2005. 
• The official proposal on the ESRP as an integral part of
  FP7 will be presented by mid 2005.

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