Brussels, 17/06/2010 (Agence Europe) - The Spanish secretary of state for research, Felipe Pétriz, announced on Tuesday 15 June in Palma de Majorca that the next EU framework programme aims to increase the international co-operation budget in the domain of science and technology (COST) by €40 million. This will effectively be increased from the current €210 million to €250 million. Pétriz made this announcement during the COST ministerial conference, as part of the event organised by the Spanish Presidency of the EU. Pétriz explained that this additional funding had been decided, following the positive assessment of the programme. (B.C./transl.fl)