Brussels, 16/05/2013 (Agence Europe) - With the support of 14 countries of the Danube region, the European Commission launched, on Thursday 16 May, six new scientific clusters to support its strategy in the Danube region. Presented during a high-level meeting in Bratislava, the initiative aims to facilitate research - in the form of international cooperation, in the fields of environmental protection, the development of agriculture and irrigation systems, navigability and energy production.
Members of the scientific community of 14 countries of the region (Germany, Austria, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia, Serbia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro, Ukraine and Moldova) will thus take part in one or several of the six clusters, which are to focus on the environmental and socio-economic consequences of changing agriculture-energy pressures on water, land and soil, bio-energy, air, data exchange and harmonisation, and smart specialisation (striking a correct balance between economic potential and resources of the Danube region).
Commissioner Maire Geoghegan-Quinn, who is responsible for research and innovation, considers the six clusters to be “an excellent example of transnational science and policy cooperation, setting a benchmark for the EU and beyond. These clusters can boost scientific and economic performance in the region”. (JK/transl.jl)