EU and Japan to discuss possible science and technology framework agreement
Science and technology featured high on the agenda at the EU-Japan summit, held in Brussels on 8 December, and resulted in an agreement to discuss the possibility of a framework agreement, with a view to expanding cooperation in the area. Agreements were also made between the EU and Japan on cooperation on major international environmental projects, the development of biotechnology, nuclear research and dialogue on bio-ethics issues. The delegations also agreed to organise joint workshops in a number of areas. Both parties agreed to pursue cooperation on major international projects aimed at understanding the environment, in particular to deploy floats under the ARGO (A Global Array of Profiling Floats) project and share the resultant data and to promote the integrated ocean drilling programme (IODP), which will provide information on climate change and geo-dynamics. More generally, the EU and Japan approved the carrying out of actions on new satellite-based approaches for the global monitoring of the environment and seismic research, including the evaluation of seismic risk and moves to harmonise international seismic parameters. Representatives from the EU and Japan agreed to support jointly the development of biotechnology, which both parties see as offering great potential. The EU and Japan will organise academic and technological exchanges, workshops to encourage the development of biotechnology by the private sector and bio-venture exchanges in the industrial sector, private laboratories and universities. They will also carry out joint or coordinated research activities in the areas of nuclear fusion and nuclear materials and measurements. Another element of the agreement is to encourage dialogue between intellectuals, scientists and civil society on a range of bio-ethics issues, including cloning, stem cell research, the human genome, genetic manipulation and organ transplants. An exchange of information between regulatory authorities on safety-related issues related to biotechnology will also be organised, and both parties will exchange views on other regulatory issues, such as the protection of personal data and intellectual property. In the light of new technology in agriculture, and the ensuing concerns over food safety, the EU and Japan also agreed to use multilateral fora to enhance mutual understanding, improve standards and procedures and to promote inclusive dialogue, a more rapid flow of information and multilateral cooperation. Both Japan and the EU consider the re-emergence of certain diseases a serious threat. They therefore agreed to cooperate in strengthening existing networks for epidemic alert and response and to promote exchanges of information and visits of personnel between research institutes specialising in infectious diseases, and in particular, to facilitate the use of laboratories specialising in highly dangerous diseases in the EU Member States. Joint symposia, workshops and scientific meetings will also be organised in the following areas: life sciences, materials, including superconductivity materials and new plasma engineering and surfacing techniques and space.