Eurocommissaris Potocnik woont de eerste G8 vergadering over Wetenschap en Technologie bij in Japan (en) - Hoofdinhoud

At the first ever G8 meeting of Science and Technology ministers on 15 June in Okinawa, Japan, EU Commissioner Janez Potocnik will stress the importance and potential of increased international science and technology cooperation in addressing shared global challenges like climate change and energy. On 16 June, he will pay a visit to Tokyo. He will discuss bilateral EU – Japan cooperation in meetings with Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Mr Kisaburo Tokai, and Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), Mr Akira Amari. At the Tokyo University, he will launch a new network of European researchers in Japan. A press briefing will be held at the Delegation of the European Commission.

On Sunday 15^th June will take place the first G8 meeting dedicated to Science and Technology. The three topics on the agenda relate to how science can help to address environmental challenges; how to promote international cooperation, notably with developing countries; and how to cooperate on research activities and facilities, through better international mobility of human resource.

The visit to Japan comes at an important time for EU/Japan relations, particularly in the science and technology field. Collaborative projects in research are still limited. Except partnerships in global programmes such as ITER, the EU-Japan Science and Technology cooperation remains, in terms of volume and quantity, below its potential. Participation by Japanese researchers in the EU Research Programmes focuses essentially on the ICT sector. The number of Japanese teams involved in trans-national projects is much lower than the US, or even Chinese and Indian ones.

During his visit of Japan, the European Commissioner aims to find out how opportunities can be offered to Japanese research teams to get involved in the EU's Seventh Research and Development Framework Programme (2007-2013) in many other fields than ICT. He will also discuss with Japanese authorities the ongoing negotiations for an EU-Japan Science and Technology Cooperation Agreement, Japan being the last remaining developed country that does not have a Science and Technology Cooperation agreement with the EU.

On June 16^th, Commissioner Potocnik will officially launch the network of European Researchers Abroad in Japan. This network should be a valuable tool contributing to the reinforcement of research collaboration between the EU and Japan. It will provide European researchers working in Japan with practical information about research funding in Europe, research career opportunities, and other opportunities to work in or with Europe, as well as information on events or publications.