Commission proposes scientific agreement with Brazil
The European Commission has proposed a scientific and technological cooperation agreement between the European Community and Brazil. The agreement will allow researchers from both parties to participate in the other's research programmes and will facilitate the setting up of joint research projects. 'The Agreement was negotiated against the background of an upgraded and intensifying cooperation between Brazil and the European Union, considering the importance of science and technology for economic and social development and the mutual wish to extend and strengthen the conduct of cooperative activities in areas of common interest,' reads the proposal. Such areas of interest include biotechnology, information and communication technologies, bioinformatics, space, micro- and nanotechnologies, clean technologies, health and medicine, aeronautics and human sciences. The agreement also provides for the exchange of scientists, joint organisation of conferences, the exchange and sharing of equipment and materials, and the exchange of information on practices, regulation and programmes relevant to cooperation. Once adopted by the Council, the agreement will be concluded for an initial period of five years, and will be renewable for additional periods of five years.
Countries
Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Germany, Denmark, Greece, Spain, Finland, France, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Sweden, United Kingdom