European Liberals and Democrats welcome the Commission's focus on improving Europe's competitiveness and support for SMEs pursuing innovation. The main thrust of the European Commission's proposals today for a new Framework Programme (FP8) for research and innovation, dubbed 'Horizon 2020' aim to strengthen European scientific excellence in emerging technologies, maximise growth potential of European businesses and support activities across society including health, energy, transport and food security.

Jens Rohde (Venstre, Denmark), ALDE coordinator in the EP research and industry committee supports the new emphasis:

"In times of budget cuts, we should not forget about our future growth needs. Investing in R&D is money well spent. But it is equally important that we genuinely simplify the rules and focus much more on the commercialisation of research results. If we are to truly improve European competitiveness we must eliminate the research to retail gap. "

Carl Haglund (SFP, Finland), EP standing rapporteur on the budgetary aspects of R&D policy said:

"Horizon 2020 will bring together all relevant EU research, development and innovation funding under one single framework and equip it with a significant budget of €80bn over 7 years starting from 2014. This makes sense and will bring more focus and coherence to the EU's efforts in this area. With national budgets being cut back, the EU efforts in RDI are more important than ever."

"Horizontal simplification and greater flexibility should be the hallmarks of the new Framework Programme, making it easier to apply for funding as well as to monitor the way it is used."