European Commission proposes new international strategy in science and technology
The European Commission called on governments to develop jointly a strategy for international cooperation in science and technology. It proposed a strategic framework for jointly strengthening science and technology cooperation with non-EU countries,...
The European Commission called on governments to develop jointly a strategy for international cooperation in science and technology. It proposed a strategic framework for jointly strengthening science and technology cooperation with non-EU countries, notably in the field of information and communication technologies where Europe is a strong exporter.
The Commission's objective is to contribute to sustainable development worldwide while at the same time improving Europe's competitiveness in science and technology. The Commission invites member states to define together, rather than in isolation, priority research and technology areas where a coherent EU effort would have more impact.
According to European commissioner for science and research, Janez Potonik: "Global challenges call for global responses. There is no area today where this is truer than in science. Our international partners are attracted by Europe as a model of regional integration, but they are faced with a multitude of governmental actors, research priorities when they want to engage in concrete cooperation. The aim of our strategic framework is to engage with our member states to transform Europe's research labyrinth into a European research area open to the world, attracting the best brains and contributing to address global challenges."
"At a time where telecommunications, the internet, mobile telephony and television increasingly impact on our life and on the EU economy, it is urgent to improve the effectiveness of the EU's international action in information and communication technologies," said Viviane Reding, EU Commissioner for information society and media.
Member states and the European Commission are involved in a myriad of research cooperation activities with third countries. However, the absence of a common strategy at European level has led to duplication of efforts and often a waste of resources.
At the same time, global challenges such as climate change, food and water supply or the digital divide, highlight the need for a better cooperation in science and research between member states and the Commission to promote EU policy goals as well as global sustainable development, the Commission admitted.
The strategy adopted by the Commission outlines core principles which should underpin European cooperation with the rest of the world.
The Commission recommends strengthening the global position of the EU's ICT industry and other advanced technologies that would, thanks to EU regulatory principles, improve the investment environment and anticipate the convergence between electronic communications and media. It also plans to monitor non-tariff barriers and regulatory hurdles faced by EU industry on third markets.
The full text of the Communication is available at: http://ec.europa.eu/research/press/2008/pdf/com_2008_588_en.pdf
The Commission's objective is to contribute to sustainable development worldwide while at the same time improving Europe's competitiveness in science and technology. The Commission invites member states to define together, rather than in isolation, priority research and technology areas where a coherent EU effort would have more impact.
According to European commissioner for science and research, Janez Potonik: "Global challenges call for global responses. There is no area today where this is truer than in science. Our international partners are attracted by Europe as a model of regional integration, but they are faced with a multitude of governmental actors, research priorities when they want to engage in concrete cooperation. The aim of our strategic framework is to engage with our member states to transform Europe's research labyrinth into a European research area open to the world, attracting the best brains and contributing to address global challenges."
"At a time where telecommunications, the internet, mobile telephony and television increasingly impact on our life and on the EU economy, it is urgent to improve the effectiveness of the EU's international action in information and communication technologies," said Viviane Reding, EU Commissioner for information society and media.
Member states and the European Commission are involved in a myriad of research cooperation activities with third countries. However, the absence of a common strategy at European level has led to duplication of efforts and often a waste of resources.
At the same time, global challenges such as climate change, food and water supply or the digital divide, highlight the need for a better cooperation in science and research between member states and the Commission to promote EU policy goals as well as global sustainable development, the Commission admitted.
The strategy adopted by the Commission outlines core principles which should underpin European cooperation with the rest of the world.
The Commission recommends strengthening the global position of the EU's ICT industry and other advanced technologies that would, thanks to EU regulatory principles, improve the investment environment and anticipate the convergence between electronic communications and media. It also plans to monitor non-tariff barriers and regulatory hurdles faced by EU industry on third markets.
The full text of the Communication is available at: http://ec.europa.eu/research/press/2008/pdf/com_2008_588_en.pdf