EU commissioner urges cooperation on research policy

Commissioner Janez Potocnik has said that Europe's "champions league" standard of research programmes can ensure Europe remains a world leader in science and research.

Speaking at the opening of the research connection conference in Prague on Thursday, the EU's science and research commissioner called for improved dialogue and cooperation between industrialists, researchers and the public sector.

This, he said, could "lead to mutual improvement of money spent and intellectual potential".

According to Potocnik , a "champions league" of research programmes, where "several hundred heads are better than one" would ensure Europe can "always try to be one step ahead".

Many social challenges, such as drinking water, food, migration, security and pandemics, can be addressed through ongoing and future research programmes, said the commissioner.

Connections on all sides of the "knowledge triangle" are needed for the future, he said, claiming this is "the oil that makes our society run smoothly, and the fuel that runs it".

He drew attention to the role of research in recovering from the global economic crisis, saying those who were against investing in research and development in the current climate were making "a major mistake".

"In what shape will we come out of the crisis?" he asked, "Will we be able to compete globally?"

Claiming the EU was in the "ideal situation for structural and systematic changes", he spoke of the need to move forward socially and technologically in emerging from the downturn.

Research funding under the current framework will not be affected by the recession, he said, because provisions are in place to run programmes until 2013, complete with a 10 per cent increase in the amount of cash available each year.

Potocnik said this commitment to research was important, with countries such as China and India already investing heavily and US president Barack Obama having recently announced an increase in American budgets.

"This is a sign we have to step up our efforts on this side of the Atlantic," he added.

He also announced that the commission had so far received a total of 36,000 proposals, each fighting for their share of funding worth €10bn, illustrating "just how crucial the programme is".

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