European Parliament
A6-0180/2006
Jerzy Buzek (PPE-DE ). –
(PL)
Mr President, my thanks to Mr Chatzimarkakis. The European Union is strong on scientific research, but not as strong on innovation. As rapporteur for the Seventh Framework Programme, I would like to congratulate Commissioner Verheugen on his new idea, namely the Competitiveness and Innovation Programme. I fully support this programme, as well as Mr Chatzimarkakis’ report.
The programme guarantees the provision of industry funding for innovation, and will boost small and medium-sized enterprises in particular. The European Union cannot be successful in the technology race without such a programme to fill the gap between research and innovation, and this is both the basis of the Lisbon Strategy and the path to building a common European area for research and innovation.

