15/05/2006

The goals and main characteristics of the European Commission's Seventh Framework Programme for Research, which will cover the period from 2007 to 2013, were presented at the information day "Investing in a Europe of Knowledge and Innovation: Seventh Framework Programme for Research Activities, Technological Development and Demonstration of the European Community" organised by the General Secretariat for Research and Technology (GSRT) on Friday 12 May 2006 in Athens.

More than 300 representatives from universities, research centres, businesses and other institutions from the private and public sectors participated in the event. Notably, Mr. I. Papathanasiou, the Deputy Minister for Development, Professor I. Tsoukalas the General Secretary for Research and Technology and Mr. N. Vakalis, European MP and member of the European Parliament's "Industry, Research, and Energy" team attended the conference.

During his speech, Mr. I. Papathanasiou underlined that it was necessary, on the one hand, to create a stable legal framework for research so that Greece can attract foreign investors and well-established researchers, and, on the other, to revise research activity priorities in accordance with European programmes, thus ensuring maximum benefit from community funds. He also mentioned Greece's participation in the Sixth Framework Programme where, for instance, in the field of "Information Society Technologies", Greece ranks 7th among all European countries for funds with regard to total numbers.

Professor I. Tsoukalas spoke about the new opportunities available to the Greek research community through the Seventh Framework Programme, while N. Vakalis underlined that research and innovation are the core of the EU?s strategy for development, as determined by the Lisbon agenda. Research will be covered by the FP7 and innovation by the Competitiveness and Innovation Programme.

During the event, Dr. L. Giannakopoulou, from the Department of International R&D Cooperation of the GSRT, presented the consultation on the creation of Greek positions for the FP7, which was completed in three cycles. The purpose of the consultation was the integration of Greek scientific interests in the FP7 and the promotion of versatile programme management procedures.

Afterward, Dr. H. Vasilakos, the GSRT Permanent Representative to the EU, presented the structure, budget and participation rules of the Seventh Framework Programme. He also underlined that the EU?s purpose was to activate the Education-Research-Innovation cognitive triangle.

Individual programmes and thematic priorities of the FP7 were mentioned by Mr. H. Tokamanis, representative of the Directorate General for Research of the EU. He underlined, notably, that the upcoming budget amounts to 54.4 billion euro, while the plan is to announce the first invitation for proposal submission in December 2006.

The speeches were followed by a discussion, coordinated by Dr. V. Mesthaneos, head of the Department of International R&D Cooperation of the GSRT, where participants had the chance to express their views and concerns regarding the new Framework Programme.

Source: EKT