Lord Frost gives update on UK’s participation in Horizon Europe
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info
This could mean that, due to draft terms for Horizon Europe grants, Britain may be able to join the programme even if it triggers Article 16 today. The UK had been excluded from the EU’s £80billion research and development (R&D) project after tension over Brexit fishing disputes and the Northern Ireland Protocol reached boiling point.
And now, with Brexit minister Lord Frost and European Commission vice-President Maros Sefcovic continuously failing to agree in talks, today marks the day the Government may trigger Article 16 of the Northern Ireland protocol.
Lord Frost has said he wants Northern Ireland to be treated as a part of the UK and therefore remove the role of the European Court of Justice (ECJ), but if the EU does not do so, Article 16 could be triggered.
While Mr Sefcovic warned that this move could have “serious consequences”, Britain may still be able to be a part of Horizon Europe.
The Brexit Minister has previously demanded that the UK be included in the £80billion project urgently if it wants to receive a share of the UK’s £15billion contribution to three science projects, including Horizon Europe.
He also pointed out in a speech in the House of Lords that Britain has not violated any terms under the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) as part of the Brexit deal, an agreement which included the UK’s participation in Horizon Europe.
But with the US’ renewed commitment to more transatlantic R&D cooperation through joining Horizon Europe, the UK may be able to win back its place in the project too.
It comes after the European Commission quietly published draft terms for its Horizon Europe grants that allow non-EU researchers to be part of the project.
And the US is not the only non-EU member who has expressed interest in joining the project.
Last week, it was announced that Armenia will also be participating in the EU’s key funding programme for research & innovation.
The US is now hoping that deepening ties with the EU will bring a boost from everything from basic research to cooperation on critical and emerging technologies.
They are also hoping that the EU will re-open quantum and space programs to partnerships with US scientists.
While the UK has said it has planned alternatives if their access to Horizon Europe continues to be blocked, Lord Frost has warned that this is certainly not his preferred option.
DON’T MISS
Scientists warn ‘toxic’ WW2 shipwreck risks ecological disaster [REVEAL]
Covid origin mystery unravels ‘Much wider distribution’ [INSIGHT]
Egypt breakthrough as find ‘second most important since Tutankhamun’ [REPORT]
He told the House of Lords: “It is in neither ours, nor the EU’s interest to get to this point and much the best way forward is for the EU instead to finalise our participation [in Horizon Europe] as a matter of urgency.”
But there are reportedly talks of Lord Frost and Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng setting up a “Discovery Fund” to rival Horizon Europe.
This involves plans for a target date of early 2022 for domestic schemes that would be funded by the money which otherwise would have been involved in the EU programmes.
But Lord Frost is still adamant the EU should let the UK join.
He said: “We agreed we would participate in this in the TCA and we agreed to pay a contribution of £15billion over seven years.
“The TCA is clear, the UK shall participate and the relevant protocol shall be adopted..that is an obligation.
“If it became clear that the EU will not deliver that obligation – and it has not done so far – we will regard them as in breach of Article 710 of the TCA.”
Source: Read Full Article
