15/01/2004
A significant step for the reinforcement of
cooperation in South Eastern Europe in the domain of
research and technology has been taken with the
inauguration of "South Eastern European Research and
Education Networking" (SEEREN), an event held on 9
January 2004, at the Aristotle University of
Thessaloniki.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by the Minister
of Development, Akis Tsohatzopoulos, who underlined,
on the one hand, the contribution of research and
technology in the economic development and on the
other, the role of the networks as tools for the
establishment of cooperation among research centres,
universities and even countries. Moreover, he referred
to the Greek initiatives during the EU presidency
aiming at scientific and technological collaboration
in the Balkans.
Regarding SEEREN, the Minister stressed that it is a
network for transferring knowledge and information
that contributes to the reinforcement of the
competitiveness in the Balkans and SE Europe and
constitutes a forerunner for the integration of the SE
countries in the EU economy.
The network infrastructure SEEREN, which is in the
final stage of implementation, connects the research
and education networks of SE Europe (Albania,
Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Greece, Former Yugoslav
Republic of Macedonia, Rumania, Serbia-Montenegro) not
only with each other but also with the pan European
high speed research network GEANT, aiming at their
integration into the European Research Area. The
network SEEREN has been deployed with co-funding by
the European Commission and coordination by the Greek
Research & Education Network (ΕΔΕΤ/GRNET).
The SEEREN initiative has been recognized as an
important step towards easing the digital gap and
towards integrating the academic and research
communities of SE Europe in the next generation
advanced networks and Internet applications at
European and international level.
The project promotes the collaboration of research and
academic communities of EU member states with the
relevant communities of the Balkan countries.
Moreover, it constitutes a platform of dissemination
and development of infrastructure and applications of
the Information Society in these countries, in view of
their integration into the European Union.
The advanced network infrastructure corresponds to the
needs for modernization of the Balkan infrastructure
in the sector of communications and public service,
contributing to the digital networking of the region.
It is noted that GRNET, through its initiatives and
actions thus far, has contributed to the realization
and modernization of the Balkan network
infrastructure. Apart from SEEREN, another project
called SEE-GRID (FP6) will start in May 2004 to
support e-science activities.
The inauguration event, which was organized by the
Greek Research & Education Network under the auspices
of the Ministry for Development, was attended by
Ministers and General Secretaries of SE European
ministries responsible for research and the
Information Society, local authorities of
Thessaloniki, high level officials of the European
Commission, representatives of the academic and
research community of SE Europe and members of the
wider production sector.
Information
Greek Research &
Education Network (ΕΔΕΤ/GRNET)
Jorge Sanchez - Papaspiliou,
tel: +30 210 7474243,
e-mail: sanchez@grnet.gr
Dimitra
Kotsokali,
tel: +30 210 7474253,
e-mail:
dkotso@grnet.gr
Source: Greek Research and Technology Network, Ministry of Development, photoreportage.gr
Greece in EU R&D
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