Brussels, 08/07/2002 (Agence Europe) - Commissioners Margot Wallström (environment) and Philippe Busquin (research) presented, on Friday in Brussels, the new scientific network for surveillance of the environment that must contribute to assessing needs and developing norms for a better definition of environmental policies. Thirty-eight institutes, universities and companies from 17 different countries are to take part with the Joint Research Centre in this network which will be coordinated by the French institute responsible for environmental risks, INERIS. The network, called "Metropolis", received Community support of EUR 969,574 for an initial period of 24 months.