'Europe has entered a period of new opportunities, which have to be used efficiently to achieve appreciable sustainable progress in strategic areas such as upgrading research infrastructure, establishing the European Institute of Innovation and Technology and the Joint Technology Initiative,' said Slovenian Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology, Mojca Kucler Dolinar.

Topping the bill will be concluding the adoption of initiatives under article 169 of the Treaty; namely the Ambient Assisted Living (AAL) and EUREKA EuroSTARS initiatives. With Slovenia currently holding the chairmanship of EUREKA, it has plans to conclude the adoption procedure on EUROSTARS so as to encourage and provide financing for market-oriented industrial research conducted by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

During its time at the helm of the EU, Slovenia also intends to make headway on Joint Technology Initiatives (JTIs) - a new initiative based on public-private partnerships. By adopting the decision to establish the four joint undertakings agreed so far, and progressing on the Fuel Cells and Hydrogen JTI, Slovenia hopes to forge new partnerships between public and private actors and contribute to the goals of the Lisbon Strategy.

In the field of information society, the Presidency's efforts will focus on the evaluation of the i2010 strategic policy framework, one of the key elements of the renewed Lisbon Partnership for Growth and Employment. Its aim here is to ensure more efficient and faster implementation of the i2010 initiative.

Source:
CORDIS News article RCN 29052

Further information:
http://www.eu2008.si/en/News_and_Documents/Press_Releases/January/0124MVZTitreKUCLER.html