Gość: ITZHAK PERLMAN
IP: *.cpe.net.cable.rogers.com
10.06.03, 17:27
EU-Israel renew scientific cooperation deal
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
BRUSSELS
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The European Union and Israel on Tuesday renewed their commitment to
cooperate on scientific research and development in such areas as
biotechnology and aeronautics.
Under a deal that runs until 2006, Israel will contribute 192 million euros
to the overall 17.5 billion euro program and remain the only non-European
country to make an annual financial contribution. However, Israel does not
participate in EU-funded nuclear research.
EU Research Commissioner Philippe Busquin welcomed Israel's continued
cooperation and said it would promote dialogue between Arabs and Israelis.
"Research is an area where contacts and cooperation can transcend political
and cultural barriers, with Arab and Israeli scientists working in
partnership thanks to EU projects," Busquin said in a statement.
Since 1998, Israel has participated in 612 EU-sponsored research projects,
including agricultural and water management projects in the West Bank and
Gaza Strip. Of those, 147 were headed by the Israelis involved. It was also
involved in EU-funded projects in Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Tunisia, Algeria
and Morocco.
"Israel has achieved levels excellence in fields such as micro-electronics,
aeronautics and the life sciences," said Juan Carlos Shebalar, head of the
delegation.
