By 2020: developing and deploying a large scale European high performance computing, data storage and network infrastructure, including by acquiring two prototype next-generation supercomputers of which one would rank among the top three in the world, establishing a European big data centre, and upgrading the backbone network for research and innovation (GEANT).

16. Notes that SMEs, which, according to estimates, are awarded between 31 % and 38 % of all public contracts in terms of value, are the backbone of the EU economy and have a huge potential for job creation, growth and innovation and that greater access to procurement markets can assist SMEs in unlocking this potential through, for example, less stringent requirements, reducing administrative burdens and offering greater technical and legal advice during the drafting of tenders; urges Member States, therefore, to take more action to encourage compliance with the European Code of Best Practices, which endeavours to ensure fair competitio ...[+++]n and proper accessibility for SMEs; urges the Commission to assess the need, as a matter of urgency, for legislative measures at European level to ensure that contracting authorities make the most of the economic and innovative potential of SMEs;

21. Also considers that cohesion policy has a responsibility to do what is needed to fill gaps and remove bottlenecks in a core TEN network of main routes of European significance, particularly in the border regions which have until now been badly neglected in this regard;

Much of the good lawmaking that we do in this House is, however, unfortunately negated, firstly by the large number of completely unnecessary regulations that still sit on our statute books and the administrative burden that places on the backbone of the EU economy, i.e. SMEs.

1. Fillets: strips of flesh cut parallel to the backbone of the fish and consisting of the right or left side of the fish, provided that the head, viscera, fins (dorsal, anal, caudal, ventral, pectoral) and bones (vertebrae or large backbone, ventral or costal, bronchial or stirrup bones, etc.) have been removed and the two sides are not connected, for example by the back or stomach.

1. Fillets: strips of flesh cut parallel to the backbone of the fish and consisting of the right or left side of the fish, provided that the head, viscera, fins (dorsal, anal, caudal, ventral, pectoral) and bones (vertebrae or large backbone, ventral or costal, bronchial or stirrup bones, etc.) have been removed and the two sides are not connected, for example by the back or stomach.