Dutch Presidency News and Insights into Research, Innovation and the Knowledge Economy
cordis.europa.eu/netherlands/

Brussels - Maastricht, 1 July 2004

From 1 July 2004 the EU research and innovation portal CORDIS will host a dedicated online service (cordis.europa.eu/netherlands/) providing a single source for information on the priorities, initiatives and activities of the research and innovation agenda of the EU Competitiveness Council, under the Dutch Presidency of the European Union (1 July - 31 December 2004). The service builds upon the efforts of the new EU Presidency to contribute to the debate on the future of European research and technology policy and to reinvigorate progress towards the EU goal of becoming a leading player in the global knowledge-based economy.

Developed jointly between the Dutch authorities responsible for research and innovation and the EU's online information service CORDIS, the new site is part of a larger gateway to national research, which uses the Internet to make EU research and innovation policies more transparent and participatory.

"The midterm review of the Lisbon process and the evaluation of the new instruments of the Sixth Framework Programme will constitute important lessons for Europe on how to proceed towards the realisation of the European knowledge society and the development of the European Research and Innovation Area. Let's use this moment to reinforce our engagement to constitute a Europe of knowledge, innovation and competitiveness!" say the new chairs of the EU Competitiveness Council - Mr Laurens Jan Brinkhorst, Dutch Minister of Economic Affairs, and Ms Maria van der Hoeven, Minister of Education, Culture and Science - in their welcoming address on the CORDIS service.

The new service features the Presidency programme and priorities, including news and in-depth coverage to highlight keys Dutch Presidency themes:

• "Working on growth with Europe" - an initiative of the Ministry of Economy with the support of the business community and consumer organisations, and in co-operation with the new European Parliament and the new Commission;
• "Learning from each other" - the theme of the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science aimed at fostering a debate on the future of European research.

Special attention will be given to the promotion of excellence in basic research, the supply, quality and mobility of knowledge workers, European co-operation in the field of research infrastructures, the position of small and medium sized companies, the interaction between science and industry and the development of European Technology Platforms. The Dutch Presidency will also host preparations for the Seventh Research Framework Programme (beyond 2007) and work towards reaching agreement on the Community patent. All of these ongoing developments will be reported on the new CORDIS service.

It will offer news, interviews and background documents covering the three meetings of the Competitiveness Council, scheduled for 1-3 July (informal), 24 September and 25-26 November 2004. A comprehensive events section includes key high-level conferences, designed to give impetus to the building of a Europe-wide research and innovation area:

The service also puts Dutch research and innovation players in the spotlight, providing statistics, case studies and contacts, as well as exploitable technologies from Dutch involvement in EU research programmes. It has published the latest information from the Netherlands Observatory of Science and Technology, "Science and Technology Indicators 2003", the "Innovation Letter" on national innovation policy, as well as the White Paper on the national science policy "Science budget 2004: focus on excellence and a greater value". An interview with the co-ordinator of the Innovation Relay Centre Netherlands, Giel Dubbeld, highlights a Presidency campaign for introducing small and medium sized companies to the benefits of cross-border partnerships.

The new Dutch Presidency Research and Innovation Information Service on CORDIS will be useful not only for researchers and policy makers, but also for small companies, seeking to understand and find opportunities in the emerging European internal market of knowledge and new technologies.

To visit the service: cordis.europa.eu/netherlands/

Note for editors:

The Community Research and Development Information Service (CORDIS) is a free service, provided by the EU's Publications Office. It offers in-depth coverage of EU-funded and national research, as well as a wide range of innovation services.

The CORDIS Council Presidency Service is renewed for each EU Presidency. Every six months, a new website is activated, dedicated to the R&D; and innovation priorities and actions of the Member State presiding over the EU. The Netherlands Council Presidency R&D; Information Service complements the permanent national service on CORDIS covering R&D; and innovation in the Netherlands.

For further information:

Virginia Mercouri, CORDIS press contact
EU contractor
Tel.: + 32 2 238 17 36
E-mail: CORDIS Press Service