15/06/2007

The European Union's Commissioner for Science and Research, Janez Potocnik, visited Greece for the official presentation of the 7th Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development. During his three-day visit to Athens (30 May to 1 June), Mr Potocnik met the Prime Minister and the Minister for Development and addressed the Parliament on "Knowledge: Europe's most precious commodity". He also visited the Biomedical Research Centre of the Academy of Athens and presented the 7th Framework Programme at a special open conference held at the Hotel Grande Bretagne on 1 June.

During his speech to the Parliament on 31 May, Mr Potocnik emphasized the importance of knowledge and innovation for the economic and social development of the European Union, referring to related European initiatives such as the European Research Area and the European Institute of Technology. He referenced leading Greek researchers, such as Professor Fotis Kafatos, President of the Scientific Council of the European Research Council, and Achilleas Mitsos, former EC Director-General of Research, commenting at the same time on the "brain drain" phenomenon, as a result of which Greek scientists are continuing their careers outside Greece.

The recommendations of the Commissioner for combating this phenomenon, but also for developing research and innovation in Greece in general, revolved around four basic axes: increase in investment, coordinated development of infrastructures, rewarding researchers and innovative businesses as well as a change in mentality. The attitude towards research needs to change, both in Greece and Europe, said the Commissioner. "We need to start thinking about what is best for Europe, not just for our regions, states or countries. The kind of changes involved in making a true European Research Area cannot be created in isolation. We cannot build it alone in Brussels, or in Berlin or Athens. We need everyone to buy into it: the private sector, public funding, universities and schools, public administrations".

The 7th Framework Programme 2007-2013, in which more than 400 representatives of the Greek academic, research and business community participated, was officially presented the following day. The conference was addressed by the Ministers for Development, Education and Agriculture, the Deputy Minister for Development, Yiannis Papathanasiou, and the General Secretary for Research and Technology, Professor Ioannis Tsoukalas.

In his speech, the Minister for Development, Mr Sioufas, referred to the strong points of the Greek system, among which are the increasing trends in economic development and a good record of funding from abroad (particularly from the EU's framework programme). He analysed the fundamental priority areas of the strategic plan for developing research, technology and innovation (the increase and optimisation of investments in knowledge and excellence, the dissemination of new technologies and entrepreneurship), and referred to the increase in national funding for research and technology, which is expected to reach EUR 1,500 million in the programme period 2007-2013. With regard to measures aimed at alleviating regional inequalities, Mr Sioufas referred to the opening of two new research centres in Patras and Ioannina and in the Regional Innovation Centres which are already operational or are in the preparatory phase. Furthermore, he spoke about the principles which make up the new law on Research and Technology, through which an increase in state as well as private contributions to research is promoted.

The Deputy State Secretary for Development, Yiannis Papathanasiou, addressed the conference emphasizing that "the response of such a large number of attendees is a measure of how well the scientific and business community recognizes the importance of the Framework Programme". He also referred to the need to reinforce research, technology and innovation, the creation of new knowledge in the nation's priority areas, assistance to businesses in technical knowledge and technology transfer, the promotion of European and national collaborations and specialization of manpower.

In his address, the General Secretary for Research and Technology, Y. Tsoukalas, spoke about the importance of the European Research Area for Greece as well as the benefits our country has acquired in research and technology through the Framework Programme. Specifically, Mr Tsoukalas referenced GSRT data on the basis of which Greek participation in FP6 comprises 3% of the total participation, while the goal for 2013 is for Greece to near 5% of the funding from FP7.

The speech of the Commissioner for Science and Research, Mr Potocnik, was entitled "Changing research for a changing world" and focused on the particular characteristics of individual FP7programmes. He referred to the Greek participation in previous Framework Programmes which was substantially increased in relation to the size of the country. On the other hand, he characteristically emphasized that more than 2,000 partners participated in 1,500 projects during FP6, mainly in the areas of Information Society Technologies and the Environment. At the same time, he expressed the hope for an even greater participation of Greek researchers in FP7, as well as for Greece's active contribution to the creation of the European Research Area.

The recommendations of the Commissioner for the further development of research and technology in the country involved the increase in investments, emphasis on technology transfer issues, clarification of intellectual property rights and administrative restructuring of universities and research centres. Mr Potocnik stressed the need for the development of international collaborations, not only between EU Member States, but at global and regional level as well. The conference concluded with a speech delivered by Professor Helga Nowothy, Vice-President of the Scientific Council of the European Research Council (ERC), entitled "The ERC: The Contribution of Cutting Edge Research to the European Research Area".

Source: European Commission, Ministry for Development