Portugal and Slovenia agree to bilateral R&D co-operation
Supported by the TAIEX Office (technical assistance information exchange office) of the European Commission, as well as the ministries of science and technology in both countries, the first Portuguese-Slovenian research and development (R&D) workshop took place in Lisbon on 26 and 27 October 2000, resulting in a proposal of a bilateral R&D co-operation agreement. The workshop, initiated by the Portuguese Universities Foundation with the Slovenian Business and Research Association in Brussels, was attended by 26 senior government officials, representatives of universities and other academic institutions, as well as R&D units from the two countries. Delegates from both countries, for example in the field of the pharmaceutical industry, to be supported by the future bilateral R&D co-operation agreement, expressed interest in intensive bilateral co-operation. Institutions were also invited to initiate proposals for joint research projects. The general level of research and technological development (RTD) in the two countries is comparable, as are their RTD policies. Although substantial progress has been achieved in research and higher education in both countries, catching up with the more advanced European countries requires major additional investment. In view of comparable conditions in the two countries, as well as the readiness of Portuguese partners to explain their experiences to Slovenian counterparts, there is a solid ground for mutually beneficial research co-operation. The main objectives of the workshop were an exchange of views and experiences, an evaluation of performance and support measures for participation in European multilateral programmes with particular emphasis on the EU's Fifth Framework programme, and the initiation of a discussion on the potential for bilateral RTD co-operation with a view to strengthening strategic alliances. The workshop was assessed as a valuable 'fact-finding exercise', and will be followed by more detailed events in Slovenia and Portugal on selected issues of mutual interest, including the participation of the research communities of the two countries in the creation of the European Research Area. Another Slovenian Portuguese workshop will be held in Slovenia in early 2001, where it is expected that the Slovenian Portuguese R&D Co-operation Agreement will be signed.