Council adopts new specific programmes on industrial and materials technologies and communications technologies A meeting of the European Research Council took place on 27 June 1994 in Luxembourg, under the Presidency of Mr. Constantin Simitis, Greek Minister for Industry, Energy and Technology. The Council agreed on Decisions for two specific programmes on: - Industrial and materials ... A meeting of the European Research Council took place on 27 June 1994 in Luxembourg, under the Presidency of Mr. Constantin Simitis, Greek Minister for Industry, Energy and Technology. The Council agreed on Decisions for two specific programmes on: - Industrial and materials technologies; - Communications technologies. These are the first of 20 specific programmes to be agreed by the Council for the implementation of the Fourth Framework Programme and the Euratom Framework Programme (1994-1998). In order to implement these two programmes, the European Commission will be assisted by a committee composed of representatives of the Member States. Formal adoption of the Decisions will take place after finalization of the texts. Financial breakdown of the specific programme on industrial and materials technologies: - Production technologies: 36.5% - Materials and technologies for product innovation: 35% - Transport technologies: 28.5% - Total: ECU 1,617 million. Financial breakdown of the specific programme on communications technologies: - Interactive multimedia services: ECU 162 million - Photonic technologies: ECU 104 million - High-speed networks: ECU 75 million - Mobility and personal communications networks: ECU 115 million - Network intelligence and ingenuity of services: ECU 100 million - Quality, safety and reliability of services and communications systems: ECU 43 million - Horizontal actions: ECU 31 million - Total: ECU 630 million The Council also agreed common positions on: - A Decision on rules of participation for enterprises, research centres and universities in the Community specific programmes on research, technological development and demonstration; - A Decision on rules for the dissemination of research results of Community specific programmes on research, technological development and demonstration. These common positions will be formally adopted at a future Council session, after finalization of the texts. They will then be sent to Parliament in accordance with the cooperation procedure. The Council also agreed a common position on a Decision on the rules of participation for enterprises, research centres and universities in the EAEC specific programmes on research and education. The above three Decisions aim to establish horizontal rules for the implementation of all Community specific programmes on research, technological development and demonstration. Particular attention will be paid to small and medium-sized enterprises and to cooperation with third countries or international organizations. Regarding other matters, the Council took note of the Commission's proposal for negotiating Directives for a scientific and technical cooperation agreement with Switzerland. The Council will discuss the proposed scientific and technical cooperation agreement with Israel at a future Council session. An exchange of views was held on the European Assembly of Science and Technology, launched by the Commission in March 1994. The Council agreed on a Decision on the conclusion of an agreement for scientific and technical cooperation between the European Community and Australia. Areas for cooperation were agreed as follows: - Biotechnology; - Medical and sanitary research; - Marine science and technology; - Environment; - Information technologies; - Communications technologies. The Council approved two proposals for Decisions concerning relations between the European Community and the Republic of San Marino. In addition, the Council agreed on Decisions concerning the conclusion of two exchanges of letters modifying agreements between the European Community and Bulgaria and the European Community and Romania. Countries Luxembourg
