Brussels, 23/10/2003 (Agence Europe) - The European Union and Mexico should sign, by the end of 2003 or beginning 2004 a cooperation agreement in the scientific and technical domain. This week the EU Council adopted the decision approving the agreement's signing. The Mexican President, Vincent Fox, announced that he intends to take part in the signing ceremony that will take place in Mexico.
For Mexico, the main value of the agreement will be to guarantee a proportional and equal division of revenues from intellectual property issued from the results of joint research, indicated the scientific adviser for the Mexican mission to the EU. He also notes that the agreement will also set transparent rules covering participation in research programmes.
Other than research in the aerospace sector, Mexican priorities correspond to those of the 6th European Framework Research and Development Programme: biotechnologies, nanotechnologies, the environment, sustainable development and health. Mexico is notably advanced in terms of health in the fields related to the prevention and treatment of tropical diseases. In terms of the environment, Mexican interest will also be to develop projects related to water treatment and the fight against pollution emitted by the 'machiladoras', which subcontract production for companies from the United States, notes the Commission. Presently dedicating 0.40% of GDP to research, the Mexican government has undertaken to increase this proportion to 1% in the coming years. The EU may hope to see a convergence between European and Mexican standards, an asset in the face of competition from the United States.
The 6th FRDP foresees a total of Eur 285 million for cooperation with third countries. A similar agreement has existed for the last three years with Argentina and agreements are awaiting signature with Brazil and Chile.