Brussels, 16/01/2007 (Agence Europe) - Janez Potocnik, European Science and Research Commissioner, will be making his first official visit to Israel on 17 and 18 January. During his two-day visit, Potocnik will visit examples of existing EU-Israel cooperation. He will meet the vice prime minister, Shimon Peres, the minister of industry, trade and labour, Eli Ishai, and the acting minister of science, culture and sport, Mrs Yael Tamir. Discussions will focus on ongoing negotiations to finalise Israel's association to the 7th EU framework programme on research and development. On the sidelines of an EU-Israel conference on scientific policy at Ban Ilan University, Potocnik will brief the press on this visit and meet the president of the university, Professor Moshe Kaveh. Israel has been fully involved in the European Union's research funding programmes since 1996. (oj)