Enlargement is a fact in EU research policy: Candidate Countries join the 6th EU Research Framework Programme

On 29 October 2002 the European Commission and Candidate Countries (CCs) are signing an association agreement for the 6th EU Research Framework Programme (FP6 2002-2006). More specifically, each candidate country will be associated to the Framework Programme through the signature of a Memorandum of Understanding.,

Commission President Romano Prodi, Research Commissioner Philippe Busquin and Enlargement Commissioner Günther Verheugen will welcome Research Ministers from Bulgaria, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Romania, the Slovak Republic, Slovenia and Turkey.
To coincide with this event, EU Research Commissioner Philippe Busquin is chairing an informal meeting "Candidate Countries in the Sixth Framework Programme , which is followed by a press conference.
BACKGROUND
"Research is the first area where enlargement becomes a reality, well in advance on the accession schedule. This is recognition of the scientific potential that Candidate Countries possess. Current EU Member States will also benefit from this," said Commissioner Busquin. "Scientists and engineers from Candidate Countries will now be able to contribute their know-how and experience to the broader challenges of European research and feel part of the forthcoming European Research Area, a true internal market for knowledge and science. The signing of these association agreements will mark a major step forward for Candidate Countries and enhance their input to European competitiveness and quality of life."
The Sixth Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development covering the period 2002-2006 is the Union's main instrument for the funding of research in Europe. All candidate countries have expressed their wish to be associated to it. Seven of them (Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Latvia, Romania, Slovak Republic and Slovenia) have also expressed their wish to be also associated to the EUR 1,230 billion Euratom Framework Programme (2003-2006) for nuclear research. The General Agreement for their association to Community programmes is already in force for all candidate countries. Through the signature of the Memorandum of Understanding, which enables the full association to the 6thFramework Programme, candidate countries will have the possibility to share with Member States the overall budget of EUR 17.5 billion of the new FP.
In the 6th Framework Programme candidate countries are treated exactly the same way as the Member States. Nevertheless, in order to take into account the constraints, which have limited their participation in the 5th Framework programme, supporting actions to stimulate, encourage and facilitate their participation especially, in Networks of Excellence and Integrated Projects are foreseen.
Research centres, universities and enterprises from Candidate Countries have already displayed enthusiasm for FP6 by presenting many "expressions of interest" (EoIs). On March 20, 2002, the Commission invited the European scientific and business community present ideas on the most promising topics for research. Some 12,000 Eol's were received in response to this invitation.
Further General Information on SMEs at the EU level:
Louis Bellemin, Head of International Cooperation Unit, Research DG,Tel: [phone] E-mail: [e-mail]
Klimentini Diakomanoli, Press and Information Officer, Research DG, Information and Communication Unit,Tel: [phone] E-mail: [e-mail]
Relevant Web sites:
http://europa.eu.int/comm/research ,http://bru.cordis.lu/demo/national_service/en/candidate-countries.htm
,ANNEXE
Programme of the Conference Candidate Countries in the 6th Framework Programme
Chairman: Commissioner Philippe BUSQUIN
Brussels, 29th October 2002
10.00 - 10.30: ,Welcome by Philippe BUSQUIN,Opening remarks from Danish Presidency,Opening remarks from Mr. VERHEUGEN, Commissioner for Enlargement , ,10.30 - 12.00:,The best use of possibilities offered by FP6 by candidate,countries ,Exchange of views on the Action Plan aiming at better integration of candidate countries in FP6 activities - round table
12.15:,Closing remarks by Philippe BUSQUIN
12.30: ,Signatures of MoU in the presence of President PRODI
13.00:,Press conference
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