EU Commissioner for Research visited Bergen

Philippe Busquin, The EU's Commissioner for Research, visited the University of Bergen at the end of June. Bergen was chosen to be the venue for his visit because Norway has strongly emphasised the need for a joint European effort in the fields of marine and climate research.

This attitude was brought out very clearly in Norwegian expressions of interest in the EU's 6th Framework Programme for 2002 - 2006. The meeeting in Bergen discussed these fields of research, and their role in the new Programme.

Rector Kirsti Koch Christensen was pleased that the meeting offered an opportunity to demonstrate Bergen's role as a European centre of marine and climate research. The University runs several major projects that receive EU support, and has accepted a large number of young researchers who make use of its research facilities (see article on p. 10-12). These researchers are financed by schemes which will be extended under the 6th Framework Programme, which specifically emphasises that opportunities for young researchers to move between European countries will be improved.

As well as representatives of Bergen's research institutions, Busquin met representatives of Norway's four universities, the Research Council of Norway, The Ministry of Church Affairs, Education and Research and the Ministry of Industry and Trade. Busquin was accompanied in the round of discussions by Christian Paterman, head of the EU's climate research programmes, and Paul King, director of Cordis, the EU's research information unit.