Slovenia Implementing EU Research Guidelines
The EU Competitiveness Council on Monday confirmed a partial common approach to the proposed 7th framework research programme for 2007-2013. With its proposed reforms, Slovenia is already following the council's recommendations, Janez Mozina of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology said.
Slovenia is in particular up to speed in reforming the national research and innovation system and drawing structural funds for research infrastructure, as well as changes to the tax legislation, Mozina said.
According to him, the framework programme for the 2007-2013 period contains all the essential elements of the European research proposal for the period. In case the negotiations on the next EU financial framework go well, the document will be adopted by the middle of 2006, Mozina said.
The important aspect for Slovenia, according to him, is that the new proposal suggests that, in addition to better integration of small and mid-sized businesses in the programme, the European Commission would secure at least 15% of funding for those business in cooperation programmes.
Moreover, the programme envisages additional support for national plans to help small and mid-sized enterprises in drafting project proposals to participate in the 7th framework programme, Mozina added.
He said the document introduced a programme of fundamental research to be planned by the European Research Council, an independent body.
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