Commission plans opening of Fifth Framework Programme to candidate countries
The Fifth RTD Framework Programme will be opened up to the eleven countries which have launched negotiations to join the EU under proposals recently adopted by the European Commission. The Commission proposes that entities from the candidate countries would participate in the Programme on essentially the same conditions as EU organisations in return for contributions to the budget of the Programme. It is hoped that negotiations on the proposals can be concluded in time for the launch of the Fifth Framework Programme, opening up a huge range of new cooperation possibilities for EU scientists planning to participate in the new Programme. The possibility of such an association has been envisaged in the Commission's proposals for the Fifth Framework Programme from the outset, and all eleven candidate countries have formally informed the Commission of their wish to participate in this way. If the Council approves its proposals, the Commission will negotiate individual agreements with each of the countries: Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Cyprus, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovak Republic and Slovenia. One of the main problems thrown up by these countries' participation is the financial contributions required. It is proposed, therefore, that they may pay reduced contributions in the early years, and in addition that some funding may be made available through the national PHARE programmes. It is also envisaged, in order to ensure maximum participation from these countries, to promote awareness of the new opportunities offered through a series of measures such as conferences, training seminars, brochures and information on the World Wide Web.
Kraje
Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czechia, Estonia, Hungary, Lithuania, Latvia, Poland, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia