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June 10, 2009 14:13 PM

EU Keen To Boost Cooperation With Malaysia In Science And Technology

By Tengku Noor Shamsiah Tengku Abdullah

KUALA LUMPUR, June 10 (Bernama) -- The European Union has called on Malaysian Research and Technological Development (RTD) institutions to fully utilise the EU New Framework Programme 7, aimed at boosting innovation and research capacity.

This will at the same time, enhance EU cooperation with Malaysia

In making the call, Mary Minch, the European Commission Director of International Cooperation in Science and Technology said the new Framework Programme 7 -- from 2007-2013-- had a total budget of 54 billion Euros.

She said there were already five projects being undertaken with Malaysia.

"I expect that others would be selected in the near future," she told Bernama during a recent visit here.

She said the next call for proposals covering various thematic fields is expected to be published in late July, allowing for submission of applications by the end of this year.

"I very much hope there will be a good response from Malaysian RTD institutions," she added.

In 2003, the European Commission adopted a communication on a "New Partnership with South East Asia", by setting out a comprehensive strategy for future EU relations with the region.

Among the identified strategic priorities is intensifying dialogue and cooperation in a number of specific policy areas, including science and technology (S&T).

For the past decade, Minch said, numerous EU cooperation projects in S&T were implemented jointly with Malaysian partners.

These range from cooperation in agriculture and food processing, to biotech, ICT, health, environment and the sustainable use of natural resources and other fields.

She said RTD projects were supported through several EC instruments and programmes, including the Economic Co-operation Programmes (COGEN) and Trans-Eurasia Information Network(TEIN).

According to Minch the Framework Programme is the main tool for cooperation in the field of research.

Having an international cooperation component, she said, allows for global participation.

"Here, I would like to reiterate that the Framework Programme, is totally open to non-EU participation.

"It offers a possibility of EU funding for costs in any non-EU country, including Malaysia. Moreover, it offers access to project results and also to RTD networks in the EU in general," she said.

In respect of statistics from 2002-2006, under the Framework Programme 6 (the sixth phase), the EU funded 15 projects with Malaysian participation.

At the policy level, Minch said the European Commission is pursuing a dialogue in science and technology on a regional basis with all ASEAN countries.

"This complements the EU's bilateral dialogue with Malaysia. We aim to boost cooperation with Malaysian partners, and are exploring the possibility of having bilateral EU-Malaysia projects in fields of mutual interest.

"I can describe the cooperation with Malaysia as being steadily positive.

"Malaysia is showing keen interest in boosting its competitiveness through research and innovation. In this regard, the European Union is a trustworthy partner, willing and able to share its experiences," she highlighted.

The main purpose of Minchs' visit was to raise awareness of the opportunities of cooperation with the EU and to boost Malaysian participation in its programmes.

More than 60 Malaysian research institutes, universities, companies working in research and development, attended a workshop organised at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre on June 2.

Participants had an opportunity to learn about the Framework Programme, European policy and EU aspirations in cooperating with Malaysia.

The event was jointly organised by the Malaysian Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) and the EU.

Also present were Fadillah Yusof, the Deputy Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) and Vincent Piket, Ambassador and Head of European Commission Delegation to Malaysia.

Apart from the workshop, Minch also had bilateral meetings with MOSTI, as well as with the newly established Energy, Green Technology and Water Ministry.

The meetings were aimed at identifying priorities in EU-Malaysia cooperation in the area of science and technology.

As a result, she said a number of fields, like climate change including technology transfer,carbon capture and storage, bio fuels and renewable energy, nanotechnology and ICT were highlighted as priority areas for EU-Malaysia cooperation.

Minch also said the Malaysian government was providing substantial funding for science, technology and innovation projects and this created a very good basis for cooperation with the EU in research.

"We have agreed to hold a follow up seminar in September, to discuss in detail the new call for proposals or grants for eligible parties.An announcement on this will be made in late July.

"I very much hope that the call for proposals will elicit lots of interest from Malaysian research institutions," she said.

The follow-up technical meetings will lead to a formulation of specific bilateral projects.Several themes of mutual interest of the EU and Malaysia such as health, agriculture, ICT and biotechnology.

"One specific area we want to develop is energy efficiency, green technology and the environment.

"I believe this is a common interest for Malaysia and the EU.I am hopeful we can get something meaningful off the ground," she said.

Minch said the Framework Programme also includes a component for the mobility of researchers, offering the possibility for Malaysian and European researchers to cross borders and contribute to joint research projects.

Asked about EU companies investing in the related fields in Malaysia, she stressed that the partnership between the public and private sector played an important role in science and technology cooperation.

She said the possibility of bringing industries into the EU-Malaysia cooperation dialogue was being explored.

Minch said the European Union also has a leading role in driving the climate change agenda.

"Recently, the EU set the binding target of achieving at least a 20 percent reduction in greenhouse gases by 2020 and rising to 30 percent, if there is an international agreement committing other developed countries.

"This is in addition to a 20 percent share of renewable energies in EU energy consumption by 2020.

"In order to meet these goals, we are seeking the cooperation of European companies to invest in sectors such as bio fuels, renewable energy and energy efficiency initiatives," she explained.

-- BERNAMA

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