Brussels, 14/07/2011 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 13 September, the European Commission launched a public consultation to help redefine the research landscape in Europe. The European Research Area (ERA) is due to be set up by 2014. The European commissioner for research and innovation, Máire Geoghegan-Quinn, was categorical and stated in a press release that “it is unacceptable that it is often more attractive and easier for our top scientists to cross the Atlantic than to move across the EU. We want the research community to tell us what they need, so we can work together to tear down barriers to growth and jobs.”
The consultation runs until 30 November. It consists of a variety of questions that outline the existing institutional, legal and fiscal barriers to mobility for researchers and scientific projects in the EU and transborder research work. Following this consultation, the Commission is expected to finalise its proposal before the end of the year. The consultation is available at the following address: http://www.ec.europa.eu/research/consultations /era/consultation_en.htm. (J.K./transl.fl)