Research Cooperation n theBalkans and theBlack Sea Region
C
ooperation in research between the EU, the Balkans
and the Black Sea region was the main topic of the
two events, organised by the General Secretariat for
Research and Technology and the DG Research of the
European Commission, within the framework of the Greek
Presidency, in Thessaloniki, in February.
The Conference for the promotion of the 6th Framework
Program in countries of the Balkan and Black Sea Regions,
that took place on 17-19 February 2003, was attended by
more than 160 representatives coming from the Balkans,
the Black Sea countries, member states and the
enlargement countries.
The Conference included a detailed presentation of the
thematic priorities of FP6, with particular focus on specific
activities such as international cooperation, high priority
research sectors such as biotechnology
and
nanotechnology, and horizontal activities such as the
mobility of researchers, partner searches and intellectual
property rights. Examples of successful cooperations in SE
European and Black Sea regions were also presented.
The above Conference was followed by the Meeting of
high-level officials to discuss the "EU - Western Balkan
countries Action Plan and Specific Action for Candidate
countries (Bulgaria, Romania, Turkey)", on 20-22 February
2003. Twenty six delegations from the Balkan countries
and the EU member states attended the meeting, showing
the strong will for active cooperation.
During the Meeting, it was highlighted that the current
developments in Europe are unfolding with the countries of
the Balkan region in very dissimilar situations. The
opportunities provided by European agreements and
Community initiatives should be exploited to a greater extent,
covering the fields of Information and Communication
Technologies, Energy, Environment,
Agriculture-
Biotechnology-Public health and Cultural Heritage.
Finally, three documents were drafted for submission to the
Ministerial Conference of the European Union and Balkan
countries, which is planned to take place in Thessaloniki, on
26-27 June 2003. The documents are:
a) A Shared Vision, confirming the political will for the enhanced
cooperation between EU and the countries of the Balkan region,
b) An Action Plan, specifying the objectives, thematic priorities
and potential instruments for the implementation of the policy,
and c) A Workprogramme, including actions to be undertaken in
the short, medium and long term, depending on the degree of
maturity of each action.
Apart from the conclusions of the events, the "Innovation,
Research and Technology" magazine hosts interviews with
the Serbian Minister of Science, Technology and
Development, Mr D. Domazet, the President of the Centre for
Research and Technology Hellas (CERTH) and Managing
Director of the Thessaloniki Technology Park (TTP), Prof,
loannis Vasalos, the Head of Unit for "International
Scientific Cooperation Policy" of the EU DG Research, Mr L.
Bellemin, the Vice-Rector of Lomonosov Moscow State
University, Prof. V. Belokurov, and the Director of Scientific
Research of the Ministry of Education and Science of
Bulgaria, Ms Albena Voutsova.
"Technology PartneringMeetings" event during European
SeafoodExposition
T
he 11th European Seafood Exposition (ESE) will be held
in Brussels, on 6-8 May 2003, along with the Seafood
Processing Europe (SPE). The Seafood trade fair is
expected to attract more than 1.400 exhibitors from over 40
countries.
During the expositions, IRC Brussels and IRC Hellenic, in co
operation with nine more IRCs, will organise a three-day
"Technology Partnering Meetings" event. The meetings are
intended for any company or research institution seeking
technologies in seafood industry and will provide the
opportunity to exchange ideas and reach potential partners
throughout Europe.
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ΚΑΙΝΟΤΟΜΙ
ΑΕΡΕΥΝΑΚ
More information about the expositions, the profile registrations
and the registration of appointments is available on:
Please note that the closing date for registration of
appointments is 25 April 2003.
