The Committee on Industry, Research and Energy adopted, in the framework of a special legislative procedure (Parliament consultation), the report by Britta THOMSEN (S&D, DK) on the proposal for a Council regulation amending Regulation (EC) No 219/2007 on establishment of a Joint Undertaking to develop the new generation European air traffic management system (SESAR) as regards the extension of the Joint Undertaking until 2024.
The committee approved the Commission proposal subject to the following amendments:
SESAR Joint Undertaking: Members stipulated that SESAR should follow the research and innovation objectives established in Horizon 2020. In order to take account of the duration of the Horizon 2020 Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (2014-2020), all calls for proposals should be launched by 31 December 2020.
Scope of work: Members introduced a new article which aims to clarify the scope of activities of the SESAR Joint Undertaking, in particular with respect to the relevant Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) covered by its research programme. The rules of participation also call for a greater consideration of the TRL-concept to stipulate funding levels, which is taken up in this article with a view to the funding rates used in indirect actions.
Union’s financial contribution: the maximum Union contribution covering the costs under the Multiannual Financial Framework 2014-2020 should be EUR 570 million (compared to the EUR 600 million as proposed by the Commission), including contributions from the countries of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), paid from the budget appropriations allocated to Horizon 2020 and in particular from the specific objective "Smart, green and integrated transport" under the Horizon 2020 priority "Societal challenges".
The Commission could oppose the use of the Union contribution for purposes that it considers to be contrary to the principles of Horizon 2020.
Internal audit: the Joint Undertaking shall be free to organise its own internal audit capability.
Evaluation: the Commission should organise independent evaluations of the implementation of this Regulation, the results obtained by the Joint Undertaking, that focus in particular on the impact and effectiveness of these concrete results achieved under the given term, in accordance with the ATM Master Plan. The evaluations should also cover the working methods, as well as the general financial situation of the Joint Undertaking. The results of those evaluations should be presented to the European Parliament and to the Council.
The results of the 2017 independent interim evaluation of the Joint Undertaking shall be taken into account in the interim evaluation of Horizon 2020.
In order to respond to unforeseen situations or to new developments and needs the Commission may, following the interim evaluation of Horizon 2020, review, within the annual budgetary procedure, the budget of the Joint Undertaking.
Rules of participation: in accordance with the principles of transparency and non-discrimination, Members called for calls for proposals organised by the Joint Undertaking shall be published on the web-based Horizon 2020 Participant Portal.
Conflict of interest: the report introduced new provisions as regards a rigorous policy on conflicts of interest requiring parties to declare the absence or presence of such conflicts of interest and defining a procedure to deal with them as all too often declarations of interest are made but not acted upon.