The European Union and Russia pledged Monday to build on past successes and strengthen cooperation in the area of science and research.
"We want to further strengthen efforts for building a knowledge based society, for encouraging competitiveness, growth and a joint approach to global challenges," said the Slovenian Science Minister Mojca Kucler Dolinar, on behalf of the Slovenian EU presidency, after the inaugural meeting of the EU-Russia Permanent Partnership Council on Research held at Brdo near the Slovenian capital Ljubljana.
EU Science Commissioner Janez Potocnik said that among third countries Russia was the most successful when it comes to cooperation with EU partners and that new forms of cooperation are being established through different working groups, the Slovenian news agency STA reported.
Talks are currently underway on Russia joining the EU's Seventh Framework Program for research and technological development.
"It is a strategic decision, which is important both for Russia and the EU," Potocnik said.
Russian Education and Science Minister Andrei Fursenko voiced the hope that talks on Russia's accession will proceed quickly.
"Today we made a big step towards expanding this area," Fursenko said, adding that the European science and technology area was shared and could not be divided.
Representing France as the next EU presiding country, Pierre Legueltel said that building the European Research Area required enhanced cooperation with "our neighbors and Russia."
He said France would do all in its power to make sure that the EU Council gives the European Commission a green light to start negotiations with Russia in connection to the Seventh Framework Program. Also on France's agenda will be the renewal of the agreement on scientific and technological cooperation with Russia which expires in February next year.
Source:Xinhua
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