European Union leaders failed to reach an agreement over the EU budget in late June, but Janez Potocnik, European Commissioner for Research, says it doesn't have to be a setback for research in the region. Potocnick put a positive spin on the budget summit collapse, saying it could now open up a new debate about EU spending. "If a real discussion now starts about having a budget that looks forward to the future and spends more on science and research, then it could turn out to be a good thing," says his spokesperson, Antonia Mochan.