Recent developments in FP6 and ERA progress documented on CORDIS
Progress on the passing of both the Sixth Framework programme (FP6) and the European research area (ERA) is being detailed in the RTD beyond 2002 service on CORDIS. Developments concerning the instruments, specific programmes and the adoption of FP6 have all occurred in the period leading up to February. The RTD 2002 service provides a central repository where all the most recent and relevant documents have been made available on its home page. Among those available to users is the Communication from the Commission concerning the common position of the Council on the adoption of the Sixth Framework programme, as well as the full Council position to which the Commission was responding. The amended proposal concerning rules for participation is also online on the site. An introduction to the instruments available for implementing the FP6 priority thematic areas has been uploaded, as has the findings of an expert group, which recommended the establishment of a European strategy forum on research infrastructures. The site will be following the process of adoption of the new Framework programme closely and will update the list of documents as they become available. The next major developments are expected in March, when the next Research Council takes place, and then in May, when the European Parliament begins it second reading of the amended proposals.