EU to collaborate with China on research and development
Eight months after the EU and China signed the Agreement for collaboration and cooperation in the field of research and development between the People's Republic of China and the European Community, the Commission has now published the Agreement along with a proposal for its conclusion. The Agreement will look towards promoting cooperation in common research fields: 'The parties shall encourage and facilitate cooperative activities between the Community and China in fields of common interest where they are pursuing research and development activities in science and technology', says the Agreement. It should enable reciprocal access to research and development activities, as well as the exchange of information and adequate protection of intellectual property rights, the rules for which form an integral part of the agreement. Under the Agreement, EU researchers involved in Chinese research projects will be subject to the same rights and obligations as their Chinese counterparts, whereas Chines researchers may participate in EU-funded research projects. Once approved by the European Parliament and the Council - expected by December 1999 - the Agreement will cover cooperation on research and development in the areas covered by the first activity of the EU's Framework Programme, i.e. the four thematic programmes. The Agreement will not affect the participation of China, as a developing country, in Community activities in the field of research and development, in particular the International Cooperation (INCO) programme.
Kraje
China