EU ministers responsible for science reached a political agreement on the European Institute of Technology (EIT) in Brussels on Friday in what Slovenia's Mojca Kucler Dolinar sees as an opportunity for Slovenian partners working in research, development and business. The only issue that remains open is funding.
"We certainly have competent partners on all levels in Slovenia, in particular R&D. Here we see our role, to motivate partners in various spheres to get involved in this network institution," the higher education, science and technology minister said.
According to her, Slovenia has "many successful researchers, research groups and institutes" already partaking in European projects. So there is no doubt Slovenia can take part on equal terms.
The EIT will be set up in two stages, the first being the selection of two or three Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs). The ministers agreed today that these can relate to areas of climate change, renewable energy sources and new generation of information communication technologies. The final decision will be in the hands of EIT Governing Board.
The issue of funding was described as a small technical problem by the EU-presiding Portuguese Minister for Economy and Innovation Mariano Gago. There is also the issue of funding of the Galileo satellite and navigation system. Both issues are being under discussion at the Economic and Financial Affairs Council as part of the second reading of the EU budget for 2008.
Science ministers also supported the foundation of joint ventures for joint technology initiatives for innovative medicines (IMI), nanoelectronics technology (ENIAC), embedded computing systems (ARTEMIS) and aeronautics and transport (Clean Sky).
Their support has already been hailed by the European Commission, with Research and Science Commissioner Janez Potocnik voicing confidence about the industry's showing interest in taking part in the initiatives.
According to Kucler Dolinar, the Slovenian industry has shown the most interest in ARTEMIS initiatives and less so in others. In order to facilitate the creation of joint ventures, the ministers agreed the European Commission would perform preparatory activities for partners in industry in the initial stage.
At today's session in Brussels, the Slovenian minister made a presentation of priorities for when Slovenia takes over the presidency, including the implementation of the agreement on the EIT.
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