Brussels, 14/04/2008 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission announced the nomination on 11 April of 22 figures who will make up the European Research Area Board (ERAB). These figures, who come from the scientific community, universities and industry, will provide independent advice to the Commission on the European policy on research and science with a view to the creation of a European Research Area (ERA). “I count on the new ERAB to advise me and the Commission services on how we can facilitate the development of a true European Research Area”, the Commissioner responsible for science and research Janez Potoènik said in a press release. Among ERAB's key tasks will be the submission of an annual report on the state of the ERA to the Commission. The list of members was submitted to the Commission by an independent high level committee created for the purpose in 2007 (EUROPE 9524). The list of all 22 members of the ERAB is available at: http: //ec.europa.eu/research/erab/ (B.C.)