Candidate country research ministers meet with EU counterparts for first time
Research ministers from the 15 Member States and 13 candidate countries will convene for the first time in Brussels on 12 July to discuss the candidate countries' participation in the next Framework programme. At an informal meeting, Commissioner Busquin will also present the proposals for the FP6 to the candidate country ministers, including the proposed new tools. As the Framework programme is itself seen as a tool for implementing the European research area (ERA), delegates will also discuss how to associate the candidate countries with the ERA strategy in the long term. Ministers are also expected to exchange views on candidate country needs as well as what they have to offer with regard to scientific research.