New Portuguese Presidency Web service on CORDIS
Portugal holds the first EU Council Presidency of the Millennium, having taken over from Finland on 1 January 2000. To keep up with developments in the fields of science, technology, innovation and the Information Society during their six-month tenure, CORDIS, as usual, is hosting a special Portuguese Council Presidency Web information service. The service is available in English and Portuguese at http://cordis.europa.eu/portugal/ and will be updated weekly. It has been developed in collaboration with the Portuguese Ministry of Science and Technology, the Institute for International Scientific and Technological Cooperation, and the Observatory of Science and Technology. The new CORDIS service provides up-to-date coverage on EU Research Councils, key science, technology and Information Society-related events, and useful research and innovation contacts in Portugal. News, interviews and discussions on the future of the Sixth Framework Programme (started under the Finnish Presidency) will be covered. The site also contains a wealth of information on Portuguese research. As the Presidency progresses, special features and spotlights on specific projects and initiatives will be detailed. Attention will be given to the issues relating to the White Paper on Portuguese Scientific and Technological Development (1999-2006), which is being used as a basis for defining the next integrated programme for science and technology and for revising legislation on scientific, technological and information society development in Portugal. A representative of the Institute for International Scientific and Technological Cooperation, says the CORDIS Presidency service will be an important arena for advertising developments in Community research, with a particular focus on Portugal. 'It is very important for other Member States and anyone else who is interested, to know what we are doing in R&D. We have been developing and launching a lot of initiatives, particularly in the Information Society area. 'The site will contribute to the development of the knowledge base, making available information on the results of some of the most interesting projects carried out by Portuguese researchers, making partnerships easier. 'The data provided will, we hope, encourage researchers to participate more in the Fifth Framework Programme and direct them to useful information.' In an interview with CORDIS (available in full on the service), José Mariano Gago, the Minister for Science and Technology, outlined the Portuguese priorities in the areas of research, development and the Information Society. He said: 'The Portuguese Presidency will give special attention to Europe after 2000, whose strength should be based on the recognition of the value of knowledge and cultural diversity, on reinforcing social cohesion and on the active promotion of a new world order, more multipolar, peaceful and with greater emphasis on solidarity. 'Today, we understand that the central question is not to focus on information alone, but also on knowledge and innovation. 'We would like to stress that what is required is a European strategy of innovation and knowledge where employment and social cohesion are clearly addressed as objectives.' Two key events will support the development of these aims. An informal meeting of Research Ministers will take place in March, during which eminent European scientists will be asked to present their ideas on a new 'European science and technology policy'. In April, Portugal will host a ministerial conference on Knowledge and the Information Society where Ministers, and representatives from industry and academia will be asked to contribute towards a discussion of global and coordinated policy in this area. A further priority of the Portuguese Presidency will be to foster relations with third countries. Mr Gago has personal experience of the benefits of European cooperation through his involvement with CERN, the European organisation for Nuclear Physics, where he has participated since 1978. He said: 'I am in favour of an active and demanding openness of European programmes to partners from the rest of the world. Europe has much to gain from a more frank, flexible and complex-free scientific and technological cooperation between business (especially innovative small and medium-sized companies) and research centres and laboratories around the world.' The former Portuguese territory of Macau, which was returned to China in December 1999, will be home to events promoting the China-EU agreement on scientific cooperation and the Eureka-Asia initiative. 'We are aware that these actions are opportunities to strengthen scientific and technological cooperation, encouraging the setting up of contacts for deepening business relationships and the formation of partnerships on a global level', said the Portuguese minister.
Countries
Portugal