Brussels, 09/01/2001 (Agence Europe) - The Swedish Presidency of the European Union has set itself two priorities in the field of research. It wants to: (1) progress as quickly as possible in the preparation of the 5th framework research programme (2002-2006) on which the European Commission proposal is awaited in the coming weeks, (2) achieve new progress with regards to the establishment of the European Research Area. This issue will be among the themes broached by the Heads of State and Government during the Special European Council in Stockholm, next 23 and 24 March.
The timetable also foresees:
- a first joint informal meeting of Education and Research Ministers (Uppsala, 1 and 3 March) to prepare the Stockholm European Council;
- a ministerial conference on the role of the accession candidate countries in the framework of Community research (Linkoping, 21 and 22 May);
- a conference on cooperation between the university and industrial worlds (Karlskrona, 17 and 18 April) that will broach in particular the aspects linked to information technologies;
- the Research Council (Luxembourg, 26 June) that will concentrate on the 5th framework programme and the next stages of the completion of the European Research Area.
The Swedish Research Ministers, Thomas Ostros will launch, on 19 January in Stockholm, the new information service of the Swedish President on the Cordis web site. This service can be consulted at the following address: http://www.cordis.lu/sweden.