Brussels, 03/09/2001 (Agence Europe) - On 17/18 September, the Belgian Presidency is organising a conference at the European Parliament in Brussels entitled "Towards European research open to the world" on the following themes: 1) excellence within the European scientific community; 2) mobility; and 3) international exchanges. The opening meeting will bring together the EP President Nicole Fontaine, Commissioner Philippe Busquin and the President of the Research Council François-Xavier de Donnéa. The following people will be participating in the conference: Lord Sainsbury of Turville; Under-Secretary of State for Science and Innovation in the UK; Ramon Marimon, Spanish Secretary of State for Scientific Research; Andrzej Wiszniewski, Polish Science Minister; Eric Banda, Secretary General of the European Science Foundation (ESF); Elly Plooij-van Gorsel (Dutch conservative MEP); Gérard Caudron (French Socialist MEP and rapporteur on the 6th Framework Programme); Reijo Vihko, President of the Finnish Science Academy; José Gago, Portuguese Science Minister; Birte Weiss, Danish Education Minister; and Carlos Westendorp (Spanish Socialist and President of the European Parliament's Industry Committee). Various EU and third country scientists will also be participating. Contact: Hughes Dumont, Fax: (32) 02/514.40.22; e-mail: mchapenois@dedonnea.irisnet.be.