Busquin outlines personal priorities for future research policy
Research Commissioner Philippe Busquin outlined three personal priorities for future EU research policy: the participation of the regions, the creation of networks of excellence and researcher mobility, when speaking at the inauguration of the 'European Neuroscience Institute' in Göttingen recently. Mr Busquin described the Institute as an initiative which, in part, responds to the weaknesses of European research and also corresponds to the ambitious objectives of the European research area (ERA). The objective of the ERA is to arrive at a state where a researcher has the feeling of working in Europe and for Europe. Referring to the participation of the regions in EU research, Mr Busquin said that he is convinced that 'the regional dimension in research should be deepened and better exploited.' He added that the Commission will present a communication on this issue at the beginning of the autumn. Moving on to networks of excellence, the Commissioner urged the European Neuroscience Institute to play the role of coordinator in a future network of excellence of neuroscience institutes. Mr Busquin claimed that the new institute is also supporting researcher mobility.