ISSN 1022-6559 2 June 1997 The contents of this bulletin are based on KTD-News, updated every day, and other CORDIS databases RESEARCH MINISTERS DEBATE FIFTH FRAMEWORK PROGRAMME Council of EU Research Ministers - 14-15 Mav 1997 The Commission's proposal for the Fifth Framework Programme for research and technological development was the main item on the agenda of the Council of EU Research Ministers meeting, in Brussels, on 14-15 May 1997. The Council held a substantive debate on the Fifth Framework Programme, generally endorsing the objectives of the Commission's proposal. Ministers, however, noted that, although there is a consensus on a large number of issues, on a number of matters divergences still exist and these need to be examined in greater depth. The Dutch Presidency adopted conclusions summing up the state of the debate within the Council on the proposal for the Programme, as the Spanish delegation was unable to support formal Council conclusions on the subject. Debating the structure of the new Programme With regard to the structure of the Fifth Framework Programme, all delegations welcomed the emphasis on problems and challenges at European level and considered the proposed "key actions", in particular, to constitute an innovative and important element.