The ministers' political agreement paves the way for an EU legal framework to facilitate the joint establishment and operation of research facilities of European interest, associated countries and inter-governmental organisations.

Background:

In 2000, the European Commission first proposed the creation of a European Research Area (ERA) - a genuine European 'internal market' for research with free movement of knowledge, researchers and technology and increased pooling and coordination of scarce R&D resources to overcome duplication of activities.

Future ERIs will include any instrument or facility that provides top-class research services to support the work of scientists in a variety of areas, including materials science, astronomy, biomedical applications and the protection of cultural heritage. They can range from icebreaker vessels for marine research to next-generation radio telescopes, and also include social surveys monitoring long-term changes in social values across Europe.

ERA's 'Vision 2020'

The ministers' conclusions on the first steps taken towards the establishment of the European Research Area's (ERA) 'Vision 2020' call on the member states and the Commission to "further engage in ensuring enhanced complementarity and synergies between Community policies and instruments".

Meanwhile, EU Research Commissioner Janez Potočnik acknowledged that if ERA has seen little progress so far, it is because numerous EU initiatives on the matter "are voluntary for the member states, and thus slow," while the Commission would like things move faster. Most research money remains in the hands of the 27 EU member states.

Further information is also available at: http://bulletin.sciencebusiness.net/ebulletins/showissue.php3?page=/548/3630/13993&rec_id=5738, as accessed on June 16, 2009.

Source: Leonardo Piccinetti, Europe for Business Ltd