Communication from the Commission the European Research area : providing new momentum - Strengthening - Reorienting - Opening up new perspectives (Act with EEA relevance)
Date: 2002-10-16
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: EU action, EU research policy, cooperation policy, organisation of research, research programme

COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES

Brussels, 16.10.2002
COM(2002) 565 final

COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION

THE EUROPEAN RESEARCH AREA : PROVIDING NEW MOMENTUM
Strengthening - Reorienting - Opening up new perspectives

COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION

THE EUROPEAN RESEARCH AREA : PROVIDING NEW MOMENTUM
Strengthening - Reorienting - Opening up new perspectives

(Act with EEA relevance)

Contents

1.

2.

3.

4.

4.1.

4.2.

4.3.

4.3.

4.5.

4.6.

4.7.

4.8.

4.9.

SUMMARY ................................................................................................................. 3

INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................................... 3

THE MAIN LESSONS ................................................................................................ 6

STRENGTHENING AND REORIENTATING ONGOING ACTIVITIES............... 7

Benchmarking of research policies .............................................................................. 7

Mapping of excellence ................................................................................................. 9

Mobility of researchers ................................................................................................ 9

Research infrastructures ............................................................................................. 10

Networking of national research programmes ........................................................... 11

Boosting private investment in research .................................................................... 12

Intellectual property ................................................................................................... 13

A trans-European electronic network for research..................................................... 14

The international dimension of the European Research Area.................................... 15

4.10.

The regional dimension of the European Research Area........................................... 16

4.11.

Issues relating to science and society......................................................................... 17

5.

5.1.

5.2.

5.3.

5.4.

6.

NEW PERSPECTIVES ............................................................................................. 18

Creating the conditions for genuine coordination of research policies...................... 18

Making greater use of legal instruments .................................................................... 19

Optimising the impact of European co-operation initiatives ..................................... 20

Fully involving the Candidate Countries ................................................................... 21

CONCLUSION.......................................................................................................... 22

2

1.

SUMMARY

Launched at the Lisbon European Council in March 2000, the creation of a European
Research Area has become the central pillar of EU activities in the field of research
and the reference framework for European research policy issues.

Thirty  months  after  it  was  launched,  the  European  Research  Area  initiative  can  be
seen to have played a part in reshaping the European research policy landscape. Its
implementation  has  raised  awareness  of  the  European  dimension  of  research  at
national level. It has stimulated a process bringing the parties involved in European
research closer together and launching new cooperation initiatives and has led to the
definition  and  adoption  of  a  substantially  redefined  Framework  Programme  for
Research.

Notwithstanding  the  progress  made  in  these  different  respects,  the  initiative  in  its
current  form  seems  to  be  hampered,  however,  by  insufficient  participation  of  the
Member  States.  This  is  reducing  the  impact  of  the  activities  being  undertaken,
thereby jeopardising the chances of the project achieving its objectives: the creation
of  a  genuine  "Internal  market  in  research"  and  the  establishment  of  genuine
coordination of national research policies.

This Communication is based on an assessment of the activities undertaken and the
developments which have occurred in different areas, in the process “revisiting” the
various  dimensions  of  the  initiative.  The  Communication  seeks  to  identify  what
should be done to give new momentum to the European Research Area initiative by
strengthening  efforts  where  necessary  and  defining  new  perspectives  which  will
provide the initiative with more effective means of implementation.

2.

INTRODUCTION

Launched  at  the  Lisbon  European  Council  in  March 2000  on  the  basis  of  an  idea
proposed  by  the  Commission  two  months  earlier,1  the  European  Research  Area
initiative  has  since  come  to  represent  the  central  pillar  of  EU  research  activities.
Moreover, it has very quickly become the main reference framework for thinking on
and  discussion  of  research  policy  issues  in  Europe,  as  well  as  a  reference  point  at
international level.2

The  creation  of  the  European  Research  Area  is  a  key  component  of  the  strategy
defined at  Lisbon of making the European Union the world's most  competitive  and
dynamic  knowledge-based  economy.  It  should  stimulate  innovation  and  economic
growth  and  hence  the  creation  of  jobs.  In  the  knowledge-based  economy,  the
industrial  exploitation  of  the  results  of  scientific  research  in  areas  such  as
technology,  and  soon  also
biotechnology, 

information  and  communications 

1

2

European  Commission,  Communication  "Towards  a  European  Research  Area,  COM(2000)6  of
18.1.2000  and  working  document  "First  report  on  progress  towards  the  European  Research  Area",
SEC(2001)465 of 16.3.2001
See the reference to the January 2000 Communication and the "Key Figures 2001" defined in "Science
and Engineering Indicators 2002" of the US National Science Foundation.

3

                                                
nanotechnology  and  clean  energy  technologies,  is  the  main  driving  force  behind
economic growth.

The  idea  of  a  European  Research  Area  grew  out  of  the  realisation  that  research  in
Europe suffers from three weaknesses: insufficient funding, lack of an environment
to stimulate research and exploit results, and the fragmented nature of activities and
the dispersal of resources.

The  EU  spends  only  1.9%  of  its  GDP  on  research  and  development,  as  compared
with 2.7% for the USA, a figure which is still rising, and 3% for Japan. Although it
accounts  for  one-third  of  total  world  output  of  scientific  publications,  Europe  lags
behind its competitors in terms of number of patent applications and its trade balance
in high-tech products is in deficit. The  level of  private  sector  research in Europe is
below that of other leading technological nations, and European countries are slower
to  exploit  promising  technological  markets  on  a  systematic  basis.  Moreover,  more
than  80%  of  EU  research  is  financed  at  national  level,  with  very  little  overall  co-
ordination.  The  European  Research  Area  initiative  is  based  on  the  simple  idea  that
current  scientific  and  technological  co-operation  activities  in  Europe  are  far  from
sufficient to achieve the target set.

Against  this  background,  the  objective  of  the  European  Research  Area  initiative
combines three related and complementary concepts:

– 

– 

– 

the  creation of an  "internal  market"  in  research,  an  area  of  free  movement  of
knowledge,  researchers  and  technology,  with  the  aim  of  increasing  co-
operation,  stimulating  competition  and  achieving  a  better  allocation  of
resources;

a restructuring of the European research fabric, in particular by improved co-
ordination of national research activities and policies, which account for most
of the research carried out and financed in Europe;

the  development  of  a  European  research  policy  which  not  only  addresses  the
funding of research activities, but also takes account of all relevant aspects of
other EU and national policies.

The European Research Area initiative has led to a number of different activities and
is beginning to be translated into specific action in several ways:

– 

– 

Activities  which  build  on  the  conclusions  of  the  Lisbon  European  Council,
most of them based on Commission Communications or staff working papers,
are  underway  in  relation  to  benchmarking  of  research  policies;  mapping  of
excellence;  mobility  of  researchers;  research  infrastructures;  networking  of
national  research  programmes;  private  investment  in  research;  intellectual
property;  electronic  networks  for  research;  the  international  and  regional
dimensions of research; and issues relating to science and society;

Contact  fora and structures  covering private and  public research  players  have
been or will soon be set up, most often linked to EU activities and programmes,
in  order  to  improve  the  coordination  of  national  activities  and  policies  in
several areas: transport (ACARE for aeronautical research, ERRAC for railway

4

research);3  the  environment  (European  Platform  on  Biodiversity  Research
Strategy - EPBRS); energy: "High-Level Group for Research on Hydrogen and
Fuel  Cells",  in  the  framework  of  the  global  "Civilisation  H²"  project  and  in
conjunction  with 
future  Commission  Communication  on  clean
technologies;

the 

A  new  Community  Framework  Programme  for  research  has  been  adopted4
which  has  been  specifically  designed  and  formulated  to  help  achieve  the
European Research Area and is likely to become an important tool in setting it
up.  This  has  been  done  through  new  support  instruments  which  will  make  it
possible  to  built  up  critical  masses  of  resources  (networks  of  excellence  and
integrated  projects),  strengthen  action  in  certain  areas  such  as  research
infrastructures and the mobility of researchers, provide a scheme for supporting
initiatives  for  the  networking  of  national  activities,  and  implement  the
provisions  of  Article 169  of  the  Treaty  authorising  the  Community  to
participate in activities undertaken jointly by several Member States;

The  Joint  Research  Centre  (JRC)  has  stepped  up  activities  related  to  the
networking of national research capabilities which it carries out to provide the
scientific  references  necessary  for  EU  policies,  in  particular  in  the  fields  of
nuclear safeguards and safety, chemical metrology, environmental hazards, and
the detection and analysis of GMOs;

Initiatives undertaken independently of EU activities but defined in the spirit of
the  European  Research  Area  are  being  launched  or  studied  spontaneously  by
the  scientific  community  and  by  industry.  Increasingly,  reference  is  made  in
national research bodies' programmes to the European Research Area (e.g. the
CEA  (nuclear  research)  and  INSERM  (medical  research)  programmes  in
France and the programme of the Fraunhofer Gesellschaft in Germany;

the  main  national 

research
links  between 
Bilateral  and  multilateral 
organisations (CNRS in France, CSIC in Spain, CNR in Italy, the Max Planck
Gesellschaft  in  Germany,  the  Research  Councils  in  the  UK,  TNO  in  the
Netherlands,  FNRS  in  Belgium,  TEKES  in  Finland,  etc)  are  intensifying.
These  are  developing  in  particular  through  the  creation  of  "Associated
European  Laboratories"  (laboratories  "without  walls"  combining  teams  from
several different countries).

New  collaboration  schemes  are  also  emerging,  such  as  the  exchange
programme for researchers between the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft and
the Royal Society, and the fellowship scheme for young researchers developed
in the framework of the EUROHORCS association.5

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

Despite  these  successes  and  the  progress  made,  the  European  Research  Area
initiative  appears  to  be  coming  up  against  certain  barriers  which  are  reducing  the
impact of the activities undertaken. Most of these barriers are due to the low overall
level  of  Member  State  involvement,  as  can  be  seen,  for  example,  in  the  fact  that

3

4

5

ACARE:  Advisory  Council  for  Aeronautics  Research  in  Europe;  ERRAC:  European  Rail  Research
Advisory Council.
OJ L 232/1, 29.8.2002.
European Union Research Organisations Heads of Research Councils.

5

                                                
national  authorities  do  not  always  participate  in  activities  at  the  appropriate
decision-making level. This, together with the  fact that  many of  these  activities are
limited  to  exchanges  of  information,  reduces  further  the  degree  of  coordination
between national research policies.

Thirty months after it was launched, it is time to revisit the European Research Area
initiative  to  take  stock  of  its  implementation  and  the  lessons  which  can  be  learned
from it.

Such  is  the  aim  of  this  Communication  which,  in  the  run  up  to  the  Spring  2003
European Council, is closely linked to the Commission’s recent Communication on
increasing  European  research  to  3%  of  EU  GDP  by  2010,  6,  and  the  views  the
Commission  will  shortly  be  putting  forward  on  the  role  of  universities  in  a
knowledge-based  Europe.  This  role  of  universities  is  central  in  view  of  their  dual
research  and  teaching  function  and  the  growing  position  they  occupy  in  the
innovation process. The actions described in this Communication are closely linked
to  the  objectives  laid  down  for  the  European  Union  by  the  Barcelona  European
Council, as set out in particular in the Broad Economic Policy Guidelines for 2002.7
They  will  furthermore  be  conducted  in  compliance  with  the  principles  of
proportionality and subsidiarity.

3.

THE MAIN LESSONS

The 2001 Monitoring Report on European Research Area activities,8 the opinion of
the  EURAB  Group9  on  this  subject,  and  the  2001  Report  on  the  Framework
Programme10 in particular paint a varied picture.

The general lessons which can be drawn are as follows:

– 

– 

– 

As  would  be  expected  in  view  of  the  nature  of  the  European  Research  Area
initiative, the progress made depends directly on the degree of mobilisation of
the  Member  States  on  the  various  topics  and  their  level  of  involvement  in
activities relating to them.

The fastest progress has been made in areas which are clearly identified and are
the subject of clearly defined action at national level.

One  reason  why  substantial  coordination  has  been  achieved  on  the  issue  of
"women  and  science",  for  example,  is  that,  while  being  a  complex  area  with
difficult  underlying  mechanisms,  it  is  clear  in  conceptual  terms  and  has  been
the  subject  of  specific  initiatives  in  the  Member  States.  The  same  cannot  be
said  of  an  issue  such  as  science  teaching,  which  covers  a  number  of  areas
which are related but distinct and are not dealt with together or in the same way
at national level.

6

7

8

9

10

European  Commission,  Communication  entitled  "More  research  for  Europe:  Towards  3%  of  GDP",
COM (2002) 499, 11.9.2002.
ECFIN/210/02.
2001 Specific Monitoring Report on European Research Area Activities (ERA).
European Research Advisory Board.
2001  Monitoring  Report  on  the  EU  Framework  Programme  for  Research  and  Technological
Development.

6

                                                
– 

– 

It  is  also  more  difficult  to  make  progress  because  policy  areas  other  than
research policy in the strict sense are involved. With regard to the mobility of
researchers, for example, the real obstacles to freedom of movement are those
relating to social policy (social security and pensions), tax policy, etc.

Very often, activities which are planned  or  in  progress  are  linked  to  the EU's
Framework  Programme  for  Research  and  are  dependent  on  funding  from  it.
This trend  is  likely  to  increase  further  with  the  Sixth  Framework  Programme
which  devotes  more  resources  to  research.  However,  the  European  Research
Area  project  cannot  be  seen  solely  in  terms  of  these  activities  and  must  by
definition  create  a  momentum  of  its  own  within  a  wider  framework  which
draws on separate initiatives.

All  in  all,  this  assessment  and  the  lessons  which  can  be  drawn  from  the
implementation of the European Research Area project provide an opportunity, at the
half-way point before the activities are reconsidered in their entirety, to reinvigorate
the initiative. This calls for a renewal of the spirit in which it was launched and the
basic principles underlying it.

The general objectives should therefore be:

– 

– 

– 

to  achieve  a  substantial  increase  in  Member  State  involvement  and  the
level of mobilisation of national activities;

to increase the impact of the activities underway;

to consolidate the conceptual and policy framework in which the project is
being implemented.

4.

STRENGTHENING AND REORIENTATING ONGOING ACTIVITIES

A  more  detailed  analysis  reveals  quite  substantial  differences  in  progress  between
different  areas.  It brings to the fore the need to strengthen the ongoing activities in
overall terms, but also to redirect some of them.

4.1.

Benchmarking of research policies11

The benchmarking of research policies is a basic component of the "Lisbon method"
and thus of the European Research Area project.

It  is  intended  to  help  improve  Member  States'  research  policies  by  making  them
generally  more  consistent  with  each  other  through  a  process  of  comparison,
exchange and mutual learning.

An initial cycle of benchmarking has been concluded, with the following results:

11

European Commission. Working documents entitled "Development of an open coordination method for
the comparative evaluation (benchmarking) of national research policies - objectives, methodology and
indicators", SEC 1842 of 3.11.2000; "Progress  report  on  benchmarking  of  internal  research  policies",
SEC  (2001)  1002  of  20.6  2001;  "Benchmarking  of  national  RTD  policies:  initial  results";  SEC  2002
129 of 31.1.2002

7

                                                
– 

– 

– 

– 

Twenty quantitative indicators have been defined which enable the situation in
the Member States to be monitored as regards, for example, research spending,
human resources in this field, and the economic exploitation of the results. The
data  for  15  of  these  indicators  have  been  collected  and  analysed,  and  5
additional indicators are being developed.

Five topics have been analysed: human resources in research and development;
public  and  private  funding;  the  impact  on  economic  competitiveness  and
employment;  scientific  and  technical  productivity;  promotion  of  a  scientific
culture.

The  results  of  these  analyses  and  the  recommendations  arising  from  them
demonstrate  the  need  for  the  EU  research  effort  to  be  strengthened  if  the
Lisbon  objectives  are  to  be  attained,  in  particular  with  regard  to  private
investment  in  research.  They  were  therefore  taken  into  account  in  the
conclusions of the Barcelona European Council.

The results have been widely distributed for study and discussion at workshops
and conferences and made available to the public.12

This first cycle also served as a pilot experiment to find out how the exercise could
and should be continued. Two lessons which can be drawn are that it is essential to
have  the  active  participation  of  the  countries  involved,  in  particular  through
sufficient mobilisation of resources at national level for data collection, and that it is
difficult to arrive at useful conclusions if topics are too broadly defined.

Actions planned or for consideration

– 

– 

Concentration on a small number of more targeted topics. These could, for
example,  be  chosen  from  among  the  following:  the  development  of  human
resources  for  public  and  private  research,  more  especially  the  degree  of
mobility  at  all  levels  and  the  conditions  under  which  researchers  from  other
European countries are able to stay; public investment in basic research; action
by Member States to encourage private investment in research, in line with the
Commission  Communication  "More  research  for  Europe:  Towards  3%  of
GDP";13  local  clustering  of  research  and  development  resources;  government
policies  to  promote  scientific  knowledge  among  the  public  and  action  to
involve citizens in the discussion of research issues.

The  setting  up,  for  each  of  the  topics  chosen,  of  "Steering  committees"
made  up  of  representatives  of  the  national  authorities  and  "Working  parties"
consisting  of  experts  appointed  by  the  Member  States,  with  action  on  each
topic being led by one of the participating countries.

12

13

Website: http://www.cordis.lu/rdt2002/era-developments/benchmarking.htm#results.
COM (2002) 499, 11.9.2002.

8

                                                
4.2.

Mapping of excellence14

The  aim  of  mapping  excellence  is  to  identify  existing  research  capacity  in  Europe
precisely (down to the level of research  units  or teams).  In particular,  the  aim is to
identify, in a dynamic perspective, emerging capacities as they evolve, so as to make
them more widely known among the scientific community and policy makers and to
promote the exploitation and dissemination of excellence.

A  pilot  phase  has  been  launched  covering  the  three  areas  of  the  life  sciences,
nanotechnology and economics. The following results have been obtained to date:

– 

– 

The economics exercise has been completed and a final report is being drawn
up;

Interim results  have  been obtained  for the other two fields,  with  consolidated
results expected at the end of November 2002.

The  pilot  phase  has  nonetheless  revealed  a  number  of  serious  technical  and
methodological  problems.  In  view  of  the  present  situation  and  current  practices  as
regards  publication  and  patents,  it  will  not  be  possible  to  consider  achieving  the
target set with the data available unless there is considerable investment in time and
effort in comparison with the added value obtained.

Actions planned or for consideration

– 

– 

Further  dissemination  of  results  since  the  information  provided  may
supplement  existing  knowledge  on 
the  scientific
community,  and  among  political  decision-makers,  administrations  and
industry.

this  subject  within 

Evaluation  of  the  initial  phase  with  the  objective  of  determining  the
cost/benefit of continuing with the exercise and extending it to other areas.

4.3.

Mobility of researchers15

European  Union  researchers  in  principle  already  enjoy  mobility  within  the  internal
market  under  the  principle  of  the  freedom  of  movement  of  persons.  However,  in
practice  such  movement  is  very  limited  due  to  obstacles  of  various  types:  legal,
administrative  and  regulatory,  practical,  cultural  and  linguistic,  information-related,
etc. The activities undertaken on this theme aim to remove these obstacles.

A  first  category  of  resources  which  could  be  deployed  for  this  purpose  relates  to
financial  incentives.  In  this  context,  it  should  be  noted  that,  under  the  Sixth
Framework  Programme,  resources  for  activities  to  support  mobility  have  almost
doubled. Moreover, the types of support available have been diversified and adapted
in two ways: by extension of fellowships to cover all parts of a researcher's career,
and by extension of the period during which fellowships are granted.

14

15

European Commission., Communication entitled "Mapping excellence in research and development in
Europe", SEC (2001) 434 of 12.3.2001
European Commission, Communication entitled "A mobility strategy for the European Research Area",
COM (2001) 331, 20.6.2001.

9

                                                
A second category of resources is that of legal instruments. As mobility of nationals
of third countries is not yet organised at EU level, freedom of movement within the
EU for researchers from third countries is even more difficult to ensure than for EU
researchers.  There  are  specific  rules  regarding  the  entry  of  researchers  from  third
countries in only two Member States. Consideration of the conditions relating to the
entry and stay of researchers from third countries began during 2002 with a view to
making it easier for them to gain entry to the European Union and to move  around
within it.

A  series  of  actions  has  also  been  started  at  other  levels  as  part  of  the  process  of
coordinating  Member  States'  policies.  The  progress  made  so  far  includes  in
particular:

– 

– 

The  development  of  a  European  network  of  mobility  centres  (consisting  of
about  40  institutions)  to  provide  researchers  with  practical  aid  and  assistance
(preparations  are  reasonably  well  advanced  and  the  launch  will  be  in  early
2003);

The  development  of  an  electronic  information  system  on  employment
opportunities for researchers and the legal and administrative provisions in EU
countries - "Researchers' Mobility Web Portal" - (pilot phase in autumn 2002,
operational  early  2003,  to  be  implemented  in  conjunction  with  the  single
Internet  site  for  information  on  professional  mobility  requested  by  the
Barcelona European Council for the end of 2003 at the latest);

As with all other categories of persons concerned, researchers will benefit from the
ongoing review (simplification and extension) of the present EU Regulation 1408/71
on the coordination of social security systems.

Actions planned or for consideration

– 

– 

Presentation,  during  2003,  of  measures  to  facilitate  entry  and  stays  for
researchers from third countries coming to the EU and to extend the rules
on  the  freedom  of  movement  of  persons  to  them,  including  if  necessary  the
creation of an EU residence permit for scientists.

Presentation of  an analytical document  containing  recommendations  and
proposals  for  action  on  career  development  for  researchers:  methods  of
recruitment and performance evaluation, requirements for mobility between the
public and private sectors, etc.

4.4.

Research infrastructures16

Research infrastructures top the list of areas where a European approach is called for,
given the levels of funding involved and the need for them to be given the means to
ensure they are able to provide services on a European scale.

Issues  related  to  major  infrastructures  cannot  be  dealt  with  effectively  at  national
level. Needs in this area must be defined and decisions taken at European level.

16

European  Commission,  Working  Document  "A  European  Research  Area  for  Infrastructures",  SEC
(2001) 356, 27.2.2001.

10

                                                
The  action  being  undertaken  on  this  theme  is  aimed  at  promoting  the  gradual
development of a European policy. The progress made includes the following:

– 

– 

– 

The strengthening and diversification of EU action to support access to and the
functioning  of  research  infrastructures  in  Europe  in  the  Sixth  Framework
Programme..

The creation of a "European Strategy Forum on Infrastructures" for research to
facilitate the  emergence  of  a European policy  on  the  development  and  use  of
research  infrastructures  in  Europe,  as  well  as  multilateral  initiatives  in  this
field.

An initial series of projects has been launched in this area on three topics: free
electron 
radiation  sources);  neutron  sources;
oceanographic vessels.

(fourth-generation 

lasers 

The  members  of  the  European  Forum  on  Infrastructures  do  not,  however,  always
have decision-making power in this field at national level. The Forum does not at this
stage express opinions either to the Council of Ministers or the Commission. It also
does not at this stage have any means of influencing decisions formally, or of taking
decisions.17

Actions planned or for consideration

– 

Presentation of proposals for establishing, within the European Forum on
Infrastructures,  formal  mechanisms  for  consulting  and  advising  the
Member States, which are responsible for the decisions in this field.

4.5.

Networking of national research programmes18

The networking of national research programmes is given a great deal of attention in
the part of the Conclusions of the Lisbon European Council relating to the European
Research Area.

Networking can take different forms, from the simple exchange of information to the
joint  implementation  of  programmes  with  EU  support  under  Article  169  of  the
Treaty, and is one of the most effective  and  symbolic  ways  of  creating  a European
Research Area. Progress made in this field includes:

– 

– 

The  identification  by  Member  States  of  four  areas  where  there  is  scope  for
opening  up  their  programmes  to  each  other  and  a  keen  interest  in  doing  so:
marine sciences, chemistry, plant genomes and astrophysics;

The inclusion in the Sixth Framework Programme of  an EU financial support
scheme for networking initiatives and opening up programmes, the ERA-NET
scheme,  which  has  a  budget  of  €160  million  and  will  enable  co-ordination

17

18

The  conclusions  of  the  Council  meeting  of  15  June  on  infrastructures  within  the  European  Research
Area simply ask the Commission to present regular reports on the progress made on this subject.
European  Commission,  Communication  entitled  "The  Framework  Programme  and  the  European
Research Area: Application of Article 169 and the networking of national programmes", COM (2001)
282, 30.5.2001.

11

                                                
– 

– 

activities to be funded at a various levels, from the exchange of information of
all kinds to the management of joint programmes;

The  definition  of  an  electronic  information  system  on  research  programmes
and national and regional support instruments in this field in the form of central
access to existing information systems in the Member States, which over time
could contribute to their further harmonisation;

The proposal for the creation, under Article 169 of the Treaty, of a platform for
clinical testing to combat infectious diseases associated with poverty (malaria,
Aids,  tuberculosis),  which  involves  a  number  of  non-EU  countries,19  and  the
study of other possible activities based on this mechanism, in particular in the
fields  of  air  traffic  management  and  control  (ATM/ATC)  and  sustainable
development.

Despite  the  initial  results  obtained,  Member  States  and  national  authorities  have  in
general shown only limited interest in these activities.

Actions planned or for consideration

– 

– 

– 

Continuation of efforts to launch the activities based on Article 169 which
are  currently  being  studied  and  exploration  of  the  possibilities  which  exist
relating to this in other fields (for example nanotechnologies).

Exploration  of  the  scope  for  using  Article 169  to  establish  regional
cooperation  between  countries  participating  in  the  Framework  Programme
which are geographically near to each other and are linked by historical ties or
by common problems, such as EU countries and, where appropriate, associated
Candidate Countries in the Mediterranean or Baltic regions.

Creation  of  a  consultation  forum  for  strategy  managers  of  the  major
national research organisations.

4.6.

Boosting private investment in research

The  Conclusions  of  the  Lisbon  European  Council  in  March  2000  called  for  the
required  action  to  be  taken  to  improve  the  environment  for  private  research
investment in Europe. The conclusions of the Barcelona European Council gave the
EU the objective of increasing its research effort so that it approaches 3% of GDP by
2010.  Most  of  the  increase  on  the  present  figure  of  1.9%  is  to  come  from  greater
private investment, which should rise to two-thirds of the total effort.

On the basis of these Conclusions, the Commission has presented a Communication
entitled  "More  research  for  Europe:  Towards  3%  of  GDP".20  With  the  aim  of
launching  a  debate  on  how  to  achieve  this  objective,  the  Communication  looks  at

19

20

European  Commission,  Proposal  for  a  Decision  of  the  European  Parliament  and  of  the  Council  on
Community participation in a research and development programme aimed at developing new clinical
interventions to combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis through a long-term partnership between
Europe  and  the  developing  countries  undertaken  by  a  number  of  Member  States  and  Norway,  COM
(2002) 474, 28.8 2002.
COM (2002) 499, 11.9.2002.

12

                                                
what could and should be done to mobilise the relevant policies at national and EU
level in a coordinated manner.

time, 

the  same 

the  Commission  and 

At 
the  European  Investment  Bank
(EIB)/European  Investment  Fund  (EIF)  have  made  the  necessary  arrangements  to
take complementary or combined action to support research and  private  investment
in this area in Europe. The progress made includes in particular:

– 

– 

– 

The signature, on 7 June 2001, of a joint memorandum for the development of
synergies  between  the  Framework  Programme  for  Research  and  the  EIB
Innovation 2000 Initiative to support research and the exploitation of research
results,  research  infrastructures,  and  investment  in  research  by  high-tech
companies;

The  development  by  the  EIB,  in  collaboration  with  the  Commission,  of  new
financial  support  instruments  for  research,  such  as  a  loan  arrangement  for
medium-sized  companies  (operational)  or  a  mechanism  (being  studied)  to
finance strategic, multi-partner research and development projects;

A  considerable  increase  in  EIB  investment  in  research  (€4.6 billion  in  loans
approved since early 2000, against only €245 million from 1990 to 1999), for
the  funding  of  research  infrastructures  (for  example  in  Turku,  Finland),
technology  parks  (in  particular  in  Madrid),  and  incubators  (such  as  a  €61
million  loan  to  exploit  the  results  of  the  European  Molecular  Biology
Laboratory (EMBL) in Heidelberg).

Actions planned or for consideration

– 

– 

The  presentation  by  the  Commission  of  a  second  Communication  on  the
“3%” objective, setting out detailed proposals for action based in particular on
the conclusions of the broad debate which will take place on this subject and on
the conclusions of the Spring 2003 European Council.

The development by the EIB,  in collaboration with  the  Commission,  of a
range of supplementary instruments (loans, risk-capital support mechanisms
and  guarantees)  suitable for  funding  research  and  innovation  activities  and  to
be used in synergy with actions under the Framework Programme.

4.7.

Intellectual property

Results  with  regard  to  the  creation  of  a  European  Research  Area  in  the  field  of
intellectual property are mixed.

On  the  negative  side,  discussions  on  the  proposal  for  the  creation  of  a  Community
Patent  are  still  blocked  in  the  Council,  the  main  points  of  disagreement  being
language use and translation arrangements, the role of the National Patents Offices,
and the common jurisdiction to be created.

However, some small steps towards a more efficient approach to intellectual property
issues relating to research in Europe have been made:

– 

The  proposal,  adoption,  or  implementation  of  legislation  to  promote  the
development  of  a  more  effective  and  harmonised  framework  for  intellectual

13

– 

– 

property  rights  in  Europe  in  specialised  fields  such  as  biotechnology  and
software;

Consultation of the groups concerned on certain specific regulatory aspects21 or
on the controversial issue of the "grace period";

The  launching  of  a  process  to  identify  and  disseminate  good  practice  and
experience  with  regard  to  intellectual  property  systems  applicable  to  public
research,  the  protection  and  exploitation  of  university  research  results  and  to
university/industry collaboration.

Actions planned or for consideration

– 

– 

– 

– 

Creation  of  a  Community  patent,  as  has  been  requested  by  the  European
Council.

Further  activities  to  adapt  and  harmonise  international  intellectual
property protection systems at European level, and to ensure the application
of  adequate  protection  standards  at  international  level  (such  as  the  ADPIC
agreement  within  the  World  Trade  Organisation  and  in  the  framework  of  the
World Intellectual Property Organisation).

Strengthening  and  deepening  of  exchanges  of  experience  and  good
practice  in  the  field  of  knowledge  protection  and  technology  transfer,  in
particular  in  the  context  of  collaboration  schemes  between  universities  and
industry.

Actions  to  support  the  training  of  researchers,  particularly  at  university
level, in matters relating to intellectual property and technology transfer.

4.8.

A trans-European electronic network for research

The  progress  made  towards  the  creation  of  a  very  high-speed  trans-European
electronic network for scientific communications has continued, in particular with:

– 

– 

The  launching  of  some  twenty  system  development  actions  based  on  the
“Grid”  distributed  data-processing  technology,  in  particular  in  the  field  of
physics,  and  the  “DataGrid”  project  which,  under  the  leadership  of  four
national  and  two  European  institutions  (CERN  and  an  institute  of  the  ESA),
brings  together  a  total  of  17  research  organisations  active  in  physics  for
large-scale exchanges of data at high speed;

The  inclusion  in  the  Sixth  Framework  Programme  of  funding  of  up  to
€100 million  in  the  priority  thematic  ar ea  "Technologies  for  the  Information
Society",  and  up  to  €200 million  in  the  "Research  infrastructures"  part  to
support  the  development  of  the  GRID  in  Europe,  and  the  continuation  of  the

21

For example, consultation of the High-Level European Group on the Life Sciences on the question of
the applicability of the directive on patentability to biotechnological inventions, and contribution to the
Commission Communication entitled "An assessment of the implications for basic genetic engineering
research of late publication of papers on subjects which could be patentable as required under Article
16(b) of Directive 98/44/EC on the legal protection of biotechnological inventions" COM (2002) 2.

14

                                                
Geant  project  for  the  interconnection  of  national  high-speed  electronic
networks.

Actions planned or for consideration

– 

– 

– 

The  development  of  GRID-type  architectures  in  fields  other  than  particle
physics  in  Europe,  in  particular  astrophysics,  biology,  the  genome,  and  the
modelling of world climate change.

The extension of these networks to the Candidate Countries.

The  continuation  and  completion,  through  the  Geant  project,  of  the
process  of  interconnecting  national  electronic  research  and  education
networks,  to  make  a  pan-European  high-capacity,  high-speed  network
available.

4.9.

The international dimension of the European Research Area22

Following on from the Commission Communication on this topic, several initiatives
had  been  undertaken  to  take  account  of,  benefit  from  and  exploit  the  international
dimension of the European Research Area and its openness to the world.

Developments in this field include in particular:

– 

– 

– 

– 

In  the  Sixth  Framework  Programme,  the  unrestricted  opening  up  of  the
"thematic"  part  to  all  third  countries,  with  possible  access  to  the  relevant
funding  in  some  cases,  the  introduction  of  a  double  fellowship  scheme  for
researchers  coming  from  third  countries  to  the  EU  and  for  EU  researchers
going  to  third  countries,  and  the  redefinition  of  EU  research  activities  in  the
field  of  nuclear  fusion  on  the  basis  of  full  EU  participation  in  the  ITER
(International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor) project;

The  creation  of  an  electronic  information  system  on  entry  and  residence
requirements for researchers from third countries going to Member States;

In  addition  to  the  integrated  action  concerning  co-operation  with  Russia,
undertaken  in  the  framework  of  the  INTAS  association  and  the  international
ISTC23  initiative,  the  development  of  concerted  and  coordinated  approaches
between  the  Community  and  the  Member States  in  the  EU's  scientific  and
technological  dialogue  with  the  major  regional  groupings  of  third  countries:
Mediterranean countries, Latin American countries and ASEAN countries;

Closer ties between the EU and the ACP countries in the field of research, with
an  ACP-EU  Forum  on  research  into  sustainable  development  held  in  Cape
Town in July 2002.

Actions planned or for consideration

22

23

European  Commission,  Communication  entitled  "The  international  dimension  of  the  European
Research Area", COM(2001) 346, 25.6.2001.
International Science and Technology Centre.

15

                                                
– 

– 

– 

The  setting  up,  based  on  the  model  of  the  European  Forum  on
Infrastructures,  of  a  Concertation  Forum  on  international  scientific
cooperation,  which  will  make  it  possible  to  strengthen  the  coherence  and
coordination  of  Member State  participation  in  international  cooperation
initiatives  at  world  level:  international  programmes  on  global  change  and  to
support the Kyoto agreements; actions undertaken in the framework of the G8;
international initiatives on ethical matters.

Putting  in  place  more  powerful  mechanisms  for  the  exchange  of
information  and  concertation  on  international  scientific  cooperation
policies,  e.g.  networks  linking  scientific  and  technological  attachés  posted  to
Member State  (or,  where  appropriate,  EU)  representations  in  third  countries,
drawing  on  the  model  of  the  initiatives  taken  in  some  third-country  capitals,
such as the FEAST Forum in Australia.24

Exploration of the scope for the combined use of national and EU financial
support  schemes  for  the  mobility  of  researchers  from  third  countries
coming to the EU: one possibility could be the payment of an extra EU grant
to  top  up  national  fellowships  for  a  period  of  attachment  to  laboratories  in
several  EU  countries,  for  example,  making  it  possible  to  attract  particularly
high-calibre  researchers  while  strengthening  the  ties  between  the  laboratories
concerned.

4.10.

The regional dimension of the European Research Area25

The  progress  made  in  this  area,  following  the  Commission  Communication  on  the
regional dimension of the European Research Area, includes the following:

– 

– 

– 

– 

The launching of a debate on this subject among the interested groups, mainly
confined, however, to regional decision-makers and players in the strict sense,
with Member State involvement remaining limited;

The  inclusion  in  the  Sixth  Framework  Programme  of  several  provisions  to
encourage  the  regional  dimension  to  be  taken  into  account  or  to  facilitate
"return  fellowships";  the  inclusion  of  regional  research  programmes  in  the
ERA-NET  support  scheme  for  coordination  initiatives;  possibilities  for
combining Framework Programme funding and financing under the Structural
Funds  in  the  case  of  Objective  1  regions;  diversification  of  research  support
schemes in SMEs;

Raising awareness in EU regions and the Candidate Countries of the realities of
research  and  co-operation  in  this  field,  which  will  lead,  for  example,  to  a
meeting in November 2002 bringing together 180 EU regions;

A very significant increase in  support from the Structural Funds for research,
technological  development  and  innovation,  with,  in  particular,  about  €11
billion forecast to be granted in this field for the Objective 1 regions during the
years 2000-2006.

24

25

Forum for European-Australian Science and Technology Cooperation.
European  Commission,  Communication  "The  regional  dimension  of  the  European  Research  Area",
COM (2001) 549, 3.10.2001.

16

                                                
– 

– 

Study  of  specific  possibilities  for  interregional  cooperation,  e.g.  between  the
outermost regions of the EU;

Development  of  systematic  exchanges  of  experience  in  the  field  of  regional
scientific  and  technological  forecasting,  with  the  creation  of  a  European
association of regions in this field being considered.

Taken  as  a  whole,  the  progress  made  is  still  somewhat  limited,  however,  both  in
scope  and  in  aspects  considered.  A  special  effort  is  therefore  needed  to  take  fuller
account of the regional dimension of the European Research Area.

Actions planned or for consideration

–  Making  more 

systematic  use  of  mechanisms 

strengthening
interregional cooperation:  cooperation  on research between  regions which
are geographically close to each other, share the same profile or have common
levels  of
problems;  and  cooperation  between  regions  with  different 
technological  development,  in  the  form,  for  example,  of  initiatives  for  the
transfer of knowledge and technology from centres of excellence.

for 

– 

– 

Strengthening  and  diversification  of  combined  support  schemes  with  EU
and  national  funding  for  initiatives  to  develop  regional  incubators  for
technology firms, such as the "biovalleys" in the field of biotechnology.

Studies  on  the  needs  and  priorities  of  the  regions  of  the  Candidate
Countries  as  regards  research,  research  infrastructure  and  science  and
innovation policies.

4.11.

Issues relating to science and society26

The general objective  of the  actions undertaken under this  theme  is  to  improve  the
links between science and society in Europe. The aim is to encourage national efforts
and enhance co-ordination in the various areas concerned: the question of scientific
expertise  and  risk;  ethical  considerations;  dialogue  with  the  people  and  public
knowledge  about  science;  attracting  young  people  to  science;  the  role  and  place  of
women in science and research.

Arising out of the debate which took place on the basis of a discussion document on
this  topic,  an  action  plan  with  38  actions  was  presented  and  discussed,  and
implementation  has  begun.27  Given  its  launch  date,  it  is  however  at  a  very
preliminary stage of implementation. Only limited progress has therefore been made
so  far  in  this  complex,  varied  area,  in  which  little  structure  is  to  be  found  at  the
national  level  where  largely  identical  problems  are  sometimes  dealt  with  in  very
different ways.

26

27

European Commission, Working document "Science, Society and the Citizen in Europe", SEC (2000)
1973,  14.11.2000  and  Communication  "Action  Plan  for  Science  and  Society",  COM  (2001)  714,
4.12.2001.
European Commission, Working document "Women and Science: the gender dimension as a leverage
for scientific reform", SEC (2001) 771, 15.5.2001.

17

                                                
A  process  for  the  exchange  of  information  and  good  practice  has  been  launched
within  thematic  working  parties,  each  of  which  is  led  by  a  Member  State  which  is
particularly interested in the issue in question. Further progress has been made in the
field  of  "Women  and  Science",  with  the  setting  up  of  a  study  group  to  look  at  the
situation of female scientists in the Candidate Countries, and a report on women in
industrial research will be presented soon.

The  inclusion  in  the  Sixth  Framework  Programme  of  a  section  on  "Science  and
society" should furthermore make it possible to launch a number of joint projects and
activities for networking, exchanges and coordination in the various areas.

To ensure that there is a real awareness of this dimension in the European Research
Area, particular and resolute emphasis needs to be put, in implementing the  Action
Plan  for  Science  and  Society,  on  the  aspects  which  have  not  been  very  well
considered  so  far,  for  example,  the  question  of  the  public  debate  on  science  and
public awareness about science and science teaching in schools.

Actions planned or consideration

– 

– 

Initiatives aimed at stimulating, in Europe and at European level, debate,
discussion  and  action  on  scientific  advice  at  European 
level  for
policymakers and dialogue between researchers and citizens.

Networking,  at  European  and  national  level,  of  relevant  players  in
scientific  education  from  the  school  and  university  systems  and  from  the
scientific community on issues such as the teaching of science and the training
of science teachers.

5.

NEW PERSPECTIVES

5.1.

Creating the conditions for genuine coordination of research policy

first  concerned 

The  coordination  of  national  research  policies  is  a  key  element  of  the  European
Research  Area  initiative.  Recently,  two  significant  initiatives  were  launched  in  this
area.  The 
(Transmissible  Spongiform
Encephalopathies)28. A meeting of senior national research scientists in this area was
held. An inventory on the research carried out on this subject has been compiled and
circulated.  Gaps in  knowledge  and  areas in which detailed research  is needed were
identified, together with the scope for synergy between national  activities.  This has
stimulated the development of conditions for deeper coordination.

into  TSE 

research 

An  initiative  has  also  been  launched  on  research  to  support  efforts  to  combat
bioterrorism.  The  results  so  far  are  somewhat  limited  as  national  organisations  are
less inclined to share information in this field given its sensitivity in defence terms.
In both cases, the success of the mobilisation effort is largely due to the background
of crisis against which the operations have been carried out. It is essential to create
conditions  in  which  a  comparable  degree  of  coordination  can  be  achieved  under
normal research conditions.

28

European  Commission,  Communication  on  research  activities  in  Europe  related  to  Transmissible
Spongiform Encephalopathies, COM (2001) 323, 12.6.2001.

18

                                                
The European Research Area initiative is  being implemented with the assistance in
particular  of  the  "open  coordination  method".  This  was  established  by  the  Lisbon
European Council as a method of action for the EU in all fields related to the aim of
making the EU the world's most competitive knowledge-based economy by 2010.

This  method  is  based  on  the  following  principles:  the  setting  of  general  objectives
and guidelines at EU level; the translation of these objectives into specific targets and
policy  measures  for  each  Member State;  the  establishment  of  quantitative  and
qualitative  indicators;  the  benchmarking  of  national  and  regional  performance  and
policies in the area concerned; exchanges of information and experience, as well as
“best practices”.

The potential of this flexible method, which implies the use of variable geometry in
its implementation, has so far not been fully utilised for the creation of the European
Research  Area,  with  activities  undertaken  often  being  limited  to  exchanges  of
information and experience.

To  create  concrete  conditions  for  genuine  co-ordination  which  is  permanent,
all-embracing and significant in scope, it seems necessary to go a step further as part
of a framework of a more resolute and clearly defined approach.

Actions planned or for consideration

– 

Definition of a formal mechanism for the coordination of research policies
as a whole, through a means to be determined. This means could be based on
existing  provisions  of  the  Treaty,  for  example  the  system  of  annual  national
reports on the implementation of guidelines used in the fields of economic and
employment policies.

–  Making  use  of  the  full  open  coordination  method,  without  cutting  out  the
first two stages: setting common objectives and  translating  them into  specific
targets.

– 

The establishment of a structure capable of providing this coordination in
an effective manner. Since it was  set  up, this task has theoretically  been the
responsibility  of  CREST29. The Committee has, however, not  carried  this  out
fully up to now. To enable it to perform this task, changes must be made to the
way it is organised in terms of composition (representation from the top level
of national administrations) and operates.

5.2.

Making greater use of legal instruments

Besides tools such as the open coordination method and financial support measures,
the EU has a third category of instruments to implement the European Research Area
initiative,  namely  the  legal  instruments  used  to  implement  Community  policies,  in
particular for the internal market (directives, regulations and recommendations).

Action has been taken to encourage more attention to be paid to research needs in the
relevant  Community  legislation,  for  example  on  intellectual  property,  State  aid
(review of the Community guidelines on State aid), and competition.

29

Scientific and Technical Research Committee.

19

                                                
On the whole, however, only limited use has been made of these legal instruments,
the preference tending to be for measures which are easier to put in place or which
must be regarded as preparatory only, such as exchanges of information.

Actions planned or for consideration

Increased use of legal measures where they are the most effective means, e.g. as
regards the mobility of researchers, in particular the entry and freedom of movement
of researchers from third countries. Another area in which the results will involve the
creation  of  a  favourable  legislative  and  administrative  environment  is  that  of
measures  aimed  at  increasing  private  investment  in  research  to  contribute  to  the
objective of increasing the EU's overall research effort to 3% of GDP.

5.3.

Optimising the impact of European cooperation initiatives

One group of players in the European Research Area initiative called upon to play an
important, special part in this undertaking are the major organisations for European
co-operation.

Several  major  centres  and  organisations  of  European  scientific  and  technological
cooperation (CERN, ESA, EMBL, ESO, ESRF, ILL, EFDA)30 have joined forces in
EIROFORUM  to  optimise  their  action  and  tackle  joint  problems  in  a  more  co-
ordinated  manner, 
the
Communication on the European Research Area in January 2000.

in  conformity  with  a 

recommendation  made 

in 

Space is a field in which research plays a key role and very substantial spin-offs can
be  expected  from  the  joint  efforts  of  the  EU  and  the  ESA  to  implement  the
GALILEO  satellite  navigation  project  and  the  GMES31  project  for  monitoring  the
environment and security and to develop a genuine European space policy.32

A  major  effort  is  also  needed  to  improve  task  sharing  and  strengthen  links  and
synergies  between  cooperation  structures  and  instruments  based  on  collaboration
between national organisations and teams. Alongside the EU's Research Framework
Programme,  the  best  known  initiatives  in  this  area  are  Eureka,  COST,33  and  the
activities of the European Science Foundation (ESF).

National  research  bodies  have  also  started  to  consider  setting  up  a  basic  research
support structure at European level. This would strengthen European capabilities and
actions  in  this  field  and  be  based  on  existing  national  and  European  structures  and
instruments.  It  could  take  the  form  of  a  European  Research  Council  and  could
mobilise a combination of public and private funds. Its benefit would directly depend
on its added value in terms of its ability to strengthen excellence, the coordination of
national efforts and funding.

30

31

32

33

CERN: European Organisation for Nuclear Research; ESA: European Space Agency; EMBL: European
Molecular  Biology  Laboratory;  ESO:  European  Southern  Observatory;  ESRF:  European  Synchrotron
Radiation Facility; ILL: Institut Laue-Langevin; EFDA: European Fusion Development Agreement.
Global Monitoring for Environment and Security.
European Commission, Communications entitled "Europe and Space: Turning to a new chapter", COM
(200) 597 of 27.9.2000 and "Towards a European space policy", COM (2001) 718 of 7.12.2001.
European cooperation in the field of scientific and technical research.

20

                                                
Actions planned or for consideration

– 

– 

– 

Strengthening  and  diversification  of  the  links  between  EU  activities  and
those of the European Science Foundation, particularly as regards activities
to support the networking of national research activities, with proposed support
of €20 million for the Eurocores initiative. 34

Restructuring  of  COST  co-operation,  with  changes  to  the  management  of
activities  and  efforts  to  strengthen  the  impact  of  these  activities  through
modification of the requirements regarding choice of topics and monitoring of
scientific standards.

Further  diversification  of  the  collaboration  between  EU  activities  and
Eureka which has been in progress for the last three years.

5.4.

Fully involving the Candidate Countries

From theoutset, it was agreed that the European Research Area initiative (with which
non-EU  West  European  countries  are  also  associated  in  principle)  should  fully
involve the Candidate Countries which wish to join the EU.

The  Candidate  Countries  have  in  principle  been  fully  associated  with  all  activities
since  they  began  and  have  become  more  and  more  involved  in  concrete,  practical
terms.

As  with  the  EU's  Fifth  Research  Framework  Programme,  the  Candidate  Countries
should also be closely involved in the Sixth Framework Programme on terms which
put them on an equal footing with the Member States.

For reasons relating in particular to the state of research systems in these countries, to
the way in which these are organised and the lack of means from which they suffer,
the  integration  of  the  Candidate  Countries  into  the  constitution  of  the  European
Research  Area  remains  at  a  rather  theoretical  level.  Both  the  EU  and  the
Member States need, therefore, to make a joint effort to help the Candidate Countries
to play a more significant part in activities conducted within the European Research
Area  and  to  become  more  fully  integrated  into  a  more  highly  structured  European
research fabric.

Action  largely  needs  to  be  taken  by  those  who  are  involved  in  research  and
innovation  and  research  policies,  namely  researchers,  high-ranking  officials  and
administrators,  in  particular  the  younger  ones  among  them,  who  should  be  given
access to the EU's best scientific research policy knowledge and expertise.

Activities of this kind are provided for in the Sixth Framework Programme. The JRC
has  started  to  make  a  particular  effort  in  this  field.  Some  activities  with  the  same
objective  are  being  conducted  at  national  level.  These  should  be  strengthened  and
optimised.

34

Eurocores  is  a  scheme  of  joint  programmes  being  conducted  by  at  least  four  national  research
organisations.  6  activities  are  in  progress  or  being  prepared  in  the  fields  of  the  physical  sciences  and
engineering, the life sciences, environmental and earth science and the human sciences.

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Actions planned or for consideration

– 

Study  and  discussion  of  the  scope  for  the  combined  use  of  measures
undertaken at EU and national level to assist the Candidate Countries to
strengthen their research policy and research management capacity:  actions
under the Framework Programme (support for national "Contact points", action
to support the training of project managers and scientific policy administrators)
and undertaken by the JRC in the fields for which it is responsible (support for
acquisition  of  the  scientific  and  technical  bases  needed  for  adoption  of  the
Community acquis) and equivalent activities at national level.

6.

CONCLUSION

The  analysis  presented  in  this  Communication  tends  to  confirm  the  three
observations made at theoutset:

– 

– 

– 

The European Research Area initiative has  changed the research environment
and research policies in Europe quite radically.

The progress made has varied from one area to another and in terms of scale;

Structural  constraints  have  limited  the  scale  of  results  achieved  to  date  and
could jeopardise the achievement of objectives.

The initiative launched in Spring 2000 has given rise to a broad debate, which must
continue, as well as to the first concrete developments. What is called for  now is a
more resolute move to action.

The  measures  suggested  in  this  Communication  are  aimed  at  reinvigorating  the
initiative,  on  the  basis  of  the  results  achieved  so  far,  and  to  give  the  initiative  a
stronger  operational  basis.  They  call  for  a  thorough  debate,  initially  within  the
European institutions but also, beyond that, among the entire research community in
Europe.

This is the aim of the proposals set out in this Communication, which are intended to
enable  initial  conclusions  to  be  drawn  in  good  time  for  the  Spring  2003  European
Council.

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