Brussels, 09/02/2004 (Agence Europe) - Commissioner Philippe Busquin is to take part on Thursday 12 February at the official foundation of a European network of excellence on asthma and allergies. Set up on the basis of a five-year project coordinated by Paul Vancauwenberge of the University of Gent in Belgium, the network aims to study these two phenomena throughout the course of life, including intra-uterine life. The international network, in which the research centres of several other European countries will take part, will conduct multidisciplinary research on links (origin and interaction) of allergies and asthma with the environment (including the various forms of pollution), food, living and employment conditions, etc. The project has a total cost of EUR 29 million and will enjoy a Community contribution of 14.4 million under the sixth framework programme.