EU and Israel renew scientific cooperation
The EU has signed a new agreement on scientific and technological cooperation with Israel, confirming the country's participation in the Sixth Framework Programme (FP6). The agreement was signed by Research Commissioner, Philippe Busquin, representing the EU, Greek Development Minister, Apostolos Tsochatzopoulos, on behalf of the Greek Presidency, and Israeli Minister of Science Eliezer Zandberg representing Israel at a ceremony in Brussels on 10 June. Speaking at the ceremony, Commissioner Busquin said: 'Europe and Israel can clearly benefit from joint endeavours in the scientific field. Israel has achieved excellence in sectors such as micro-electronics, aeronautics and life sciences.' Mr Busquin also emphasised wider impact that the agreement would have in the Middle East region, saying: 'The new agreement will also pave the way to enhanced dialogue between Arabs and Israelis. Research is an area where contacts and cooperation can transcend political and cultural barriers, with Arab and Israeli scientists working in partnership thanks to EU projects.' The conclusion of the agreement enables Israeli scientists to apply for research funding from an overall FP6 budget of 16.27 billion euro, which excludes funding for the EURATOM programme in which Israel is not a partner. Israel itself will contribute 192 million euro towards the budget of FP6. Israel is the only non European country to be fully associated with the Framework Programme. The agreement covers the entire period of FP6, taking effect as from 16 December 2002, thus covering the first call for proposals in which Israeli partners were actively involved. Under the Fifth Framework Programme, Israeli companies, universities and research institutes were involved in 612 projects, with 147 of these projects being coordinated by the participating Israeli organisation.
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Israel