Brussels, 26/02/2008 (Agence Europe) - European research ministers reached an agreement on setting up a Joint Technological Initiatives package (JTI) for Fuel Cells and Hydrogen. On Monday 25 February the Slovenian Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology Mojca Kucler Dolinar declared at a press conference that this development could be used to replace fuel in transport in the long term. The European Parliament's opinion is expected on this initiative at the 10 March plenary where ministerial approval is expected to quickly follow. The JTI aims to speed up development in these technologies over the next six years, particularly in the transport sector. The goal is to have it on the market by 2010-20. The minister stressed that, “a joint enterprise will be a Community body that will support our common efforts through innovative technologies in reducing green house gas emissions in respect of the European Union's strategic objectives and commitments under the Kyoto protocol”. It will receive funding of €470 million out of the EU budget and at least the same amount from industry, explained the European Commissioner for research, Janez Potocnik. After the results of a study published on Monday by the Commission, increased use of hydrogen could be used to reduce consumption of oil in road transport by 40% by 2050 (EUROPE 9609). The presidency presented its counterparts with current progress and the next measures for adopting certain initiatives in compliance with Article 169 of the treaty setting up the European Community, notably Ambient Assisted Living (AAL) and Eurostars. It believes that it will be able to get an agreement with Parliament in the first reading of the two dossiers at the end of the Slovenian presidency. (B.C.)