EU and South Korea sign research cooperation agreements
The European Union signed two scientific cooperation agreements with one the world's fastest growing research powers - the Republic of Korea - on 22 November. The science and technology (S&T) agreement will enable researchers from the EU and South Korea to participate in one another's research programmes and protects intellectual property rights (IPR), while a specific agreement on fusion energy research will promote collaboration in fusion research programmes. This is intended to complement work within the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) project, to which both the EU and South Korea are party. EU Science and Research Commissioner Janez Potocnik described the agreements as 'recognition of the importance of strong science and research for both the EU and South Korea. We all have much to gain from working together, in terms of quality of life, jobs and economic growth,' he said. South Korea is a very important partner for Europe. It already invests around 3% of GDP in research and is the eighth largest investor in the world. Between 2004 and 2005 companies in South Korea increased their research investment by around 40%. In 2005, South Korea was also sixth on the list of countries filing the most international patents after the US, Japan, Germany, France and the UK. The new agreements can only enhance the cooperation that is already ongoing between EU and South Korean researchers. Not only are both partners in ITER; they are both also signatories to the Galileo project to develop Europe's first satellite navigation system. South Korea has also participated in the Sixth Framework Programme. The country has been involved in 10 projects, and has received €242,520 from the European Commission.
Countries
South Korea