This point was echoed by Portuguese socialist MEP Marisa Matias, who has published the European Parliament's formal response to the green paper, on behalf of the Industry, Energy and Research Committee.

BBC: MEPs welcome Commission paper on research funding

His Portuguese colleague Marisa Matias claimed the policy went against an earlier threat by the EU to suspend cohesion funds from countries - like Portugal - who did not meet their public deficit targets.

BBC: MEPs raise concerns over youth unemployment