EUREKA launches 21 projects
EUREKA, the European Commission's initiative for cooperation between European firms and research institutes in the field of advanced technologies, has announced 20 new projects and one cluster project. On 15 and 16 April 1999, the High Level Representatives (HLRs) of the European Union (EU) decided that these 20 new projects and one cluster project should join EUREKA. The 20 projects cover work in areas including robotics, transport, the environment, communication, materials, medicine and biotechnology, and information technology. These projects will receive funding immediately. The cluster project, which is in the field of medicine and biotechnology (EUROFOREST (DEF)), will require a further year to secure its financing. EUREKA also announced that a recommendation for the Republic of Lithuania to join EUREKA as a new member has been passed to the Council of Ministers for acceptance. Approval for this is expected at the next Ministerial conference in June. Also, from 1 January 2000, Heike Kotilainen will become the new head of the EUREKA Secretariat.