Brussels, 23/11/2007 (Agence Europe) - On Friday 23 November, EU research ministers unanimously adopted four joint technology initiatives (JTIs), explained Portuguese Science, Technology and Higher Education Minister Jose Mariano Gago, at a press conference. Two JTIs will involve the direct participation of EU member states, namely ARTEMIS on embedded computing systems, and ENIAC on nanoelectronics. The other JTIs are IMI on innovative medicine, and CLEAN SKY on aeronautics and air transport (see EUROPE 9512 and 9513). The Portuguese presidency submitted to the delegations a compromise deal to allow the adoption of final decisions as soon as possible so that the four JTIs can be quickly launched in 2008. The negotiations were largely technical and legal concerning EU governance of the new agencies charged with managing the JTIs, the sharing of responsibility among the public and private sector, and the terms and conditions (perks) of staff. Three Commission statements were annexed to the document. In the first statement, the Commission says it remained attached to the fact that the body which will select the executive directors of the JTIs should be a different body from the one putting forward suggested executive directors. In the second statement, the Commission explains that for CLEAN SKY, it will ensure that the selection process for each of the initiatives is based on a high level of excellence. It finally points out that the selection of bids will be subject to rating by independent experts and national eligibility criteria will only apply if there is strict respect for transparency, excellence and equal treatment. The Commission, which is part of the management board of these bodies, wants to keep control over the choices made. The JTIs will be a means of creating new partnerships between publicly funded research bodies and privately funded research, focussing on areas where technological R&D can help add to European competitiveness and quality of life. Their only existing equivalent, Galileo, is currently facing serious implementation delays.
The ministers also adopted conclusions on the future of science and technology in Europe. the document put forward suggests a series of essential targets the EU should meet in the next few years in the following areas: a) balanced mobility of highly qualified researchers between the EU and the US; b) a rise in the number of science and technology graduates and sufficient numbers of science and technology graduates taking up jobs in the private sector; c) an increase in the proportion of women among researchers: and d) balance in the flow of human R&D resources coming into the EU from other parts of the world, to everyone's mutual benefit. The Council also adopted conclusions on scientific information in the digital era, looking at access to scientific information and how it is presented and distributed. (B.C.)