Brussels, 07/06/2000 (Agence Europe) - The European Science Foundation (ESF), which brings together the main research structures of Europe, has provided its backing for the idea initiated by Commissioner Philippe Busquin in view of creating a European Research Area. It hopes that this area will cover the whole spectrum of research, from the humanities to high energy physics. The ESF calls for emphasis to be placed on fundamental research so as to reverse the trend of a decline in innovation in Europe. The Foundation welcomes the broad debate engendered by Mr. Busquin, seeking to bring together all the institutional and non-governmental players in an effort to make Europe's research environment attractive to the best young researchers from Europe and the rest of the world. It will take part in the conference on research infrastructure in Strasbourg in September this year.