The EU reaches out to Argentina
Argentina is the eighth largest country in the world with a strong S&T sector. The EU-funded project ABEST/A-EU aimed for stronger science-led ties between the country and Europe. It particularly promoted collaboration in science, technology and innovation (ST&I) by supporting Argentina's researchers and businesses to exploit ST&I programmes. The project also helped enhance Argentina's contact with other EU partners in Latin America, namely Brazil, Chile and Mexico, creating powerful networks and contributing significantly to the European Research Area (ERA). Importantly, the initiative has helped foster dialogue to help shape new policies that will encourage collaboration between Argentina and the other nations involved. It has also highlighted the possibilities and complementarities created among all the players in the field of technology systems, streamlining the use of resources on pivotal topics. Keeping in mind that the EU is Argentina's key trading partner, the project has enhanced cooperation in many more areas beyond commerce of goods. It has built valiantly on the existing EU association agreement related to S&T, a mechanism that has been in place since 1999. While initial participation of Argentina's researchers and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in EU projects was relatively limited, the ABEST/A-EU endeavour is set to increase participation considerably under the EU's Seventh Framework Programme (FP7). This will open up the ERA to Argentina in a myriad of ways and solidify transAtlantic ties with a noble nation that boasts a strong European character.
