Research - a sine qua non for the nuclear sector

Not only does 2007 mark the 50. anniversary of the Euratom Treaty, it is also a landmark year for nuclear research in Europe: the 7. Euratom Framework Programme has started and the first European Technology Platform in the nuclear field, a major initiative fostering enhanced cooperation between leading players in nuclear RandD, will be launched on 21. September. Furthermore, in January the Commission published its long-awaited 'energy package' framing the coming debate over the 'Energy Policy for Europe' and the measures needed to counter the increasingly urgent problems of security of supply, competitiveness and climate change. In particular, the 'Strategic Energy Technology Plan' is an extremely important initiative, and as one of the technologies under investigation, the nuclear sector has a real opportunity to influence strategic thinking and decision making. One thing is clear - political and societal acceptance of any nuclear renaissance must go hand in hand with an integrated, effective, well-funded and long-term European research effort. (authors)