Hungary, Romania and Slovakia cleared for FP5 participation
The Decisions confirming the participation of Hungary, Romania and Slovakia in the EU's Fifth Framework Programme (FP5) and the Fifth Euratom Framework programme have now been published in the Official Journal of the European Communities, and have all entered into force. Under the Agreements, researchers and organisations from Romania, Hungary and Slovakia can participate in the specific programmes of FP5 and the Euratom Framework Programme under essentially the same conditions as those from EU Member States. The three countries are all candidates for EU membership, and their participation in a wide range of EU programmes is aimed at helping them to familiarise themselves with the workings of the Union. Each country is expected to make its own steadily increasing financial contribution to the Programmes, although some funds from the EU's Phare programme will be available to part-finance their national contributions in the first few years of participation. Under the Agreements, Romanian, Hungarian and Slovakian researchers will be subject to the same intellectual property rights and ownership laws as their EU counterparts. Further details on these and the financial contributions required from each country may be found in the Official Journal. Each of the countries and the Commission have agreed separately to prepare to allow EU researchers to participate in equivalent research programmes and activities managed by these countries.
Countries
Hungary, Romania, Slovakia