Council wants further research cooperation with industrialised countries
The European Commission has welcomed the adoption by the General Affairs Council of Ministers on 26 February of projects in several fields, including research, to promote cooperation between the EU and industrialised countries. The regulation envisages the promotion of cooperation in research work and studies destined to provide input to the Commission's work, with a view to further develop bilateral relations and cooperative projects in science and technology, energy, transport and environmental matters. Funding, amounting to 15.6 million euro for 2001, will also be used to strengthen academic people-to-people links, promote dialogues between political, economic and social partners and NGOs (non-governmental organisations), enhance the visibility of the EU in partner countries and to support pilot schemes, which could lead to the financing of new activities. Under the regulation, the Commission will be able to implement projects with the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea and Japan. 'The regulation fills a major gap in the European Union's external relations legislation. Due to the lack of a legal framework to support the implementation of cooperation projects, we have not been able to respond to the growing need for closer cooperation with some of our closest partners. This situation has now been remedied and allows us to engage in a range of new fields, going beyond traditional activities in relations between States,' said External Relations Commissioner, Chris Patten.