§ Mr. MacleanTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the agenda for the EU Research Council on 20 May. [84676]
§ Mr. Byers[holding answer 18 May 1999]: The agenda for the formal session of EU Research Council on 20 May consists of:
- 1. Approval of the adoption of decisions concerning the association of applicant countries (CCEE and Cyprus) with the Fifth Framework Programme for European Research and Technological Development.
- 2. Consideration of a draft Council Resolution on "Women and Science: Mobilising women to enrich European research".
- 3. Any Other Business:
- (a) the Commission will provide information on the competitiveness of European enterprises in the face of globalisation, with regard to action to be taken on its Communication.
- (b) the Presidency will provide information on scientific and technical co-operation with the Mediterranean partner countries.
- (c) the Commission will provide information on decommissioning of the Joint Research Centre's obsolete nuclear facilities.
There will also be an informal afternoon session at which the Presidency aims to stimulate a wide-ranging debate on the future of European research. Ministers will be joined by seven representatives of industry and academia who will speak briefly on key issues in European research.