CORDIS Archive

Perspective of participation to the Fifth Framework RTD Programme of the European Union
- Romania's position -

1. Basic assumptions

The Fifth Framework RTD Programme (FPV) of the European Union is designed to consolidate Europe's position in science, technology and industry in front of the 21.st century.

Thus, one of the major roles of FPV would be that of focusing the efforts of the research and industry communities In order to develop a "safe and sound" European dimension of RTD activities, taking into account the future enlargement of the European Union.

Therefore, we consider that cohesion and integrity of European RTD should become a basic principle and mission of action for FPV, besides that of subsidiarity.

2. WHAT WE EXPECT FROM FPV

2.1 FPV as a cohesive and integrative force

The acceptance of this principle leads to a closer approach towards the assumption that for the Central and Eastern European Countries (CEEC) the goal represented by "the rapid accession to the Union", mentioned in the structure proposal for FPV, is a goal of vital importance.

In the case of Romania, the process of systemic integration into the EU is viewed as one of the highest national priorities.

Scientific research and technological development are the fields which can most directly accelerate the integration process. Accordingly, the national policy of Romania in these fields is strongly oriented towards that process.

Therefore, Romania considers most necessary that FPV should act as a cohesive and integrative force, with consistent and coherent effects at three levels:

• country level
• regional level
• union level

In this respect, the most important consequence derived as desirable is the adjustment and enforcement of horizontal activities, as key support for "providing general coordination" and "meeting common needs", thus enabling research communities in CEEC to effectively participate to FPV.

We shall just discuss the peculiarities we consider important at each level from the point of view of CEEC, and with special address to Romania.

2.2 Country level actions

Romania considers that the CEE countries have qualitatively good RDT potentials, which actually represent a valuable European asset.

Unfortunately, this asset fails efficient participation, as a fully reliable partner, of comparable level, into the RTD Framework Programme of EU. and is even in danger to be wasted, mainly due to the following shortcomings at country level:

- technological gaps in the RTD infrastructure (severe in many cases);

- insufficient financial resources to support participation;

- inequality of chances (reduced level access to mobility, training and information).

Thus, Romania considers that, in order to fruitfully use the RTD potentials of CEEC within FPV, and not just to "safeguard" them, it would be necessary to have in view the following targets:

• increase the quality of the RTD infrastructure in CEEC:
• • up-grading and enhancement of equipment
  • development of the informational infrastructure
• support for participation to:
• • FPV specific programmes
  • communication and exchanges networks
  • activities in major European R&D facilities

• improve the access of young researchers to training and mobility schemes
• creation of centres of excellence, based on national best research capacities, in top level R&D domains, of common Interest to the host country and the EU - meant to enable the capitalization of possibilities and the stimulation to attain the highest level in some fields of research

These targets could be met through joining efforts based on national R&D budgets with:

=> extension of horizontal activities

• supporting investment effort: in correlation with PHARE funds oriented towards restructuring S&T systems in CEEC (as in the case of Romania)
• increasing support for young researchers: in correlation with SOCRATES and LEONARDO funds

=> support for the participation of CEECs within FPV, using Phare funds in the form of separate budgets and reorientation of INCO-COPERNICUS funds for regional specific issues.

From the economic point of view, "the rapid accession to the Union" of CEEC strongly depends on the modernization of their economies, which in turn is heavily dependent on the connection between research and industry and a more efficient exploitation of research results.

Romania's economic development strategy, definitely sustained through the national S&T policy, is to promote an innovation-based development model, relying on the increasingly active and efficient contribution of research to a more rapid revigoration of the economy and integration into the European Union.

Therefore, in this respect, we consider as very desirable the extension of horizontal activities, in the following ways:

• expansion of the "SME's friendly" environment also for CEEC

• setting-up a specific program to support the researchers of the industrial sector in CEEC (training and mobility in similar profile sites of EU)

• expansion of the Innovation Relay Centres Network (also for CEEC)

The national financial support for these undertakings could be enhanced with increasing back-up from PHARE funds, as well as by closer linkage to the EUREKA Programme.

2.3 Regional level actions

The regional dimension of FPV could become extremely relevant in the case of CEEC The opportunities to jointly promote, develop and use the regional RTD potential could be boosted through:

=> identification and definition of common CEEC RTD projects specific for the region, especially aimed to provide sustainable development conditions:

• environmental and industrial depollution
• protection of echosysterns (mountain, fluvial and maritime areas)
• prevention, protection and rehabilitation in situations with high level of risk (generated by nature or man)
• development of regional infrastructure (communications, transports)

=> support for an open participation of researchers in CEEC to the EU Joint Research Centres network, as a forefront of contact between the research communities In EU and CEEC

• areas of major scientific and industry-oriented interests within FPV
• research base and scholarships supported by both states in the region and EU
• stimulation of both West-East and East-West expertise transfer

2.4 Union level actions

Romania considers that the process of gradual integration of CEEC into EU RTD structures claims the close cooperation of both sides, namely the European Commission and the CEEC institutions with role of national coordinator of RTD activities.

Therefore, in order to effectively turn FP\I into a cohesive and integrative force, the following strategic actions seem reasonable to be accomplished:

• synchronization of policies (objectives) and initiatives at the Union level with the national ones
• coordination/ complementarity of actions and resources directed to common objectives
• harmonization of procedural background: legislation, financing, personnel qualifications, patenting and Incensing practices, tax incentives

The strategic actions should rely upon:

• the submission to the principle of subsidiarity
• operation on the basis of acquis communautaires

The most important prerequisite for a full accomplishment of the proposed strategic actions seems to be the clear definition of union level instruments and mechanisms for coordination and monitoring through:

• more intensive mutual information upon S&T policy initiatives
• the creation of an /institutionalized Framework for systematic consultation, with a regular basis operation mode

This could be achieved through adequate cooperation within the structured dialogues at decision and expert level, as well as by the involvement in ESTA, CREST, CODEST and other related fora.

3. WHAT WE OFFER TO FPV

3.1 National R&D priorities consistent with the EU S&T policy

The strategic objectives of the Romanian S&T policy are the following:

• support sustainable development based on innovation
• support the development of the economy and the information society
• accelerate the overall process of Romania's integration in the EU

Thus, through its national S&T policy, Romania definitely places integration into EU RTD structures and cooperation with EU member states as major objectives, concretely sustained by:

=> national R&D priorities and programmes consistent with European ones

=> the EU-oriented restructuring of the S&T system and RTD activities

The R&D priorities established by the national S&T policy, for the period 1996-2000, are the following:

• Life sciences: agriculture and food research, biomedical and health research, biotechnologies
• Environmental research and technology
• Protection and development of the Danube Delta and Black Sea echosystem
• Infrastructure fields: transports, communications, information technologies
• Energy and structural resources
• Production, process of materials technology
• Social and cultural phenomena with an European dimension

The national R&D Programme (NRDP) "Horizon 2000" for the period 1996-2000, which is coordinated by the Ministry of Research and Technology embodies these priorities into 21 specific programmes, accompanied by supportive actions oriented towards:

• Enhancement of research equipment
• Innovation and transfer of technologies
• International cooperation
• Training and mobility of researchers

Romania considers that the priority directions of NRDP, as well as the perspective of evolution for the R&D sector in the post-2000 period lead to

• a synergy with the EU RTD FP principles and structure
• setting up of good conditions of collaboration and integration into FPV

3.2 EU - oriented restructuring of the S&T system and RTD activities

The ongoing process of restructuring the S&T system, and RTD activities in Romania is aimed to:

• increasing quality end competitiveness of Romanian R&D
• create the institutional and legal RTD framework specific for the market economy and compatible with EU structures and legislation

The main public institutions with a strategic coordinator role of RTD activities are the following:

• The Ministry of Research and Technology (MRT)
• The Romanian Academy
• The Ministry of Education
• At regional level (in all important cities of the country):
• • Territorial R&D Multidisciplinary Centres (coordinated by MRT)
  • Subsidiaries of the Romanian Academy
• At the government level: Interministerial Council for Science and Technology (set up in 1994, led by the Prime Minister)
• At the Parliament level: The Commission for Education and Science
• Specialized Advisory Bodies:
• • R&D Advisory Board (1991 )
  • Council for the Research Grants of the Romanian Academy (1994)
  • Council for Higher Education Research (1994)

The system of R&D units is two-fold:

=> extensive research producive structure

• technological research institutes (R&D institutes): move than 250
• • restructuring forms:
  • • National R&D institutes (about 70)
    • • cores of field-specific competence
      • candidates for centres of excellence, in fields such as:
      • • information technologies
        • biology/biotechnology
        • technical sciences: electrical, materials ~ processes. avionics, energetical, mechanical, automotives
        • chemistry
        • physics
    • privatisation (about 150)
    • • autonomous units
      • holding associations with same profile industrial companies: as R&D divisions
    • public institutes (e.g. information-documentation)

• Romanian Academy
• • 65 basic and advanced research institutes and centers
• universities
• • 43 public universities
  • increasing number of private universities (about 37)
  • R&D activity as mandatory for assessing universities
• companies with R&D compartments (about 5% of R&D activity)

=> evolving structure for research diffusion, transfer of technologies and innovation

• The National Agency for Technological Transfer and Innovation (ANTTI) with a network of local centres in all important areas of the country
• The National Innovation Institute with 5 regional centres
• industrial liaison offices (3 existing, 9 in formation)

=> national system for quality certification

• At Government level (subordinated to MRT):
• • Quality Management Division (within MRT)
  • Romanian Institute for Standards
  • Romanian Bureau for Legal Metrology
• internationally acknowledged:
• • units for certification of quality management systems
  • units for assessment of testing laboratories
  • laboratories for testing and certification of products
• Quality Management Training Centre, within the Polytechnical University of Bucharest

A full image about the restructuring of the Romanian S&T system is given by the answers in the R&D chapter of the Questionnaire of the European Commission in view of Romania's association to European Union.

3.3 Improved participation to European and other international cooperation forms

The participation of the Romanian R&D community to the. European and extra-European scientific cooperation can shortly be described by the following data:

=> EU Programmes

• EU R&D Programmes; more than 600 researchers in contract-based or other cooperation forms
• PHARE Project Restructuring of the S&T System in Romania international mobility for 139 participants

=> COST Programme: 11 projects under development or negotiation

=> EUREKA Programme: 3 finalised projects, 12 in preparation

=> international scientific cooperation agreements (mainly with EU member states)

• Romania has concluded, mainly through MRT, more than 60 cooperation agreements, where science is the main cooperation field
• about 250 projects developed on the basis of cooperation agreements

=> participation to international S&T organisations (within UNO system, CERN)

=> participation to organization of international scientific conferences, meetings and fairs