Est. 1min 30-07-2004 (updated: 07-11-2012 ) Euractiv is part of the Trust Project >>> Languages: Français | DeutschPrint Email Facebook X LinkedIn WhatsApp Telegram The EU’s research policy will be strengthened and given a new legal status in the Constitution. Moreover, space policy will be made a new responsibility of the Union. Read more with Euractiv Olli Rehn wants to limit Lisbon objectives to employment and growthIn two hearings in the Parliament, the new Finnish Commissioner Olli Rehn confirmed his commitment to reviving the Lisbon agenda. His strategy is to prioritise some key areas. Subscribe now to our newsletter EU Elections Decoded Email Address * Politics Newsletters BackgroundEU governments have agreed to make "scientific and technological progress" one of the objectives of the EU (Art I-3). In adopting the European Constitution in the Council meeting on 18 June 2004, they strengthened the legal basis of the Union's research policy. To achieve this aim, the EU will share responsibility with the Member States in initiating actions and, especially, in defining and implementing the Research Framework Programmes (Art I-3). For the first time, the Constitution includes a reference to the European Research Area(ERA), which aims to create a genuine 'internal market' for research and technological development in Europe. The ERA is considered to play a crucial role in achieving the goals of the Lisbon Agenda. The Constitution stipulates that a European law will establish the necessary measures for the creation of the European Research Area (Art III-149). Moreover, the Treaty establishes space policy as a responsibility of the EU. In order to promote scientific and technological progress and industrial competitiveness in this area, the Union can put forward joint initiatives, support R&D efforts and co-ordinate space exploration activities. This all remains subject to the European Constitution being ratified by all 25 Member States, either by parliamentary vote or referendum.
