Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

[**Avis juridique important**](../../../editorial/legal_notice.htm)

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# 92000E3548

**WRITTEN QUESTION E-3548/00 by Umberto Scapagnini (PPE-DE), Raffaele Lombardo (PPE-DE), Francesco Musotto (PPE-DE), Guido Viceconte (PPE-DE), Guido Podestà (PPE-DE) and Giuseppe Nisticò (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Mediterranean Basic.** 
  
*Official Journal 174 E , 19/06/2001 P. 0075 - 0076*

  

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3548/00

by Umberto Scapagnini (PPE-DE), Raffaele Lombardo (PPE-DE), Francesco Musotto (PPE-DE), Guido Viceconte (PPE-DE), Guido Podestà (PPE-DE) and Giuseppe Nisticò (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(15 November 2000)

Subject: Mediterranean Basic

Does the Commission not consider that, as a matter of particular importance and urgency, the current department within the Directorate-General for Research which is responsible for developing programmes relating to the Mediterranean Basic should be upgraded?

The purpose of such an upgrading should not only be to increase the effectiveness of Community action throughout the Mediterranean (pursuant to the process launched at the Barcelona Conference); it would also reflect the political determination to increase and stimulate Mediterranean cooperation.

It should be emphasised that, in the field of scientific and technological cooperation, the European Community is in a position to cooperate with the countries of the Mediterranean in a way which is of particular importance to the entire economic development of the region.

Answer given by Mr Busquin on behalf of the Commission

(18 December 2000)

The Commission is in complete agreement with the Honourable Members' opinion regarding the importance of scientific and technical cooperation with the Mediterranean Basin States, and supports the development of such activities without reservation. It was in this spirit that, in 1999, the Commission launched an entirely new from of Euro-Mediterranean cooperation in the fields of science and technology, INCO-MED, as part of the specific programme on confirming the international role of European research, itself part of the fifth framework programme for research and technological development (RTD). In addition, as part of the MEDA programme, the Commission has launched the Eumedis project to strengthen Euro-Mediterranean cooperation in promoting the adoption of new information and communication technologies across the region.

The Commission continues to reflect on how it can strengthen Euro-Mediterranean S&T activities, in the light of their importance for sustainable development in the Mediterranean partner countries. It was precisely as part of this process of reflection that the Commissioner for Research took part in the informal meeting held at Capri on 29 and 30 September 2000, where he was able to discuss with the Research Ministers of Spain, France, Greece, Italy and Portugal, as well as with their opposite numbers from a number of Southern Mediterranean countries, how such cooperation might be pro-actively developed. The Italian Research Minister informed his colleagues of the conclusions and recommendations that emerged in Capri during the Research Council meeting held on 16 November 2000.

The Commission will ensure that the Honourable Members are fully informed of its proposals for Euro-Mediterranean S&T projects for the years 2001 and 2002.

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