September 2012 Issue 27 1

INFORMATION FLASH ON INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION ACTIVITIES DIRECTORATE GENERAL FOR RESEARCH AND INNOVATION

INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION DIRECTORATE

POLICY

JRC and Israeli Ministry for Energy and Water Resources Strengthen Scientific Cooperation In the context of President Barroso's visit to Israel, the European Commission Joint Research Centre (JRC) and the Israeli Ministry of Energy and Water Resources signed on 9 July 2012 a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen scientific cooperation in the field of energy, with a particular focus on clean energy and water desalination. The agreement was signed in Jerusalem by Dominique Ristori, Director-General of the Joint Research Centre and Shlomo Wald, Chief Scientist of the Israeli Ministry of Energy and Water Resources.

EC President José Manuel Barroso and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu exchange views while JRC Director General Dominique Ristori and Israeli Ministry of Energy & Water Chief Scientist Shlomo Wald sign the MOU Both sides will encourage joint initiatives to ensure a sustainable supply of energy and water through more efficient and sustainable technologies, and in compliance with international environmental standards. Renewables, smart grids, e-mobility, energy efficiency and oil fuels alternatives will be the focus of the energy-related cooperation, while water research will concentrate on desalination – two key areas where Israel has a recognized scientific expertise. Both parties will also look at the scientific challenges linking energy and water.

The agreement will have an initial duration of 5 years and foresees activities such as joint research and scientific information, results sharing, as well as staff, equipment, samples and materials exchanges.

For further information, please contact Ulla Engelmann, JRC

Commissioner Oettinger and METI Minister Edano Confirm EU-Japan Cooperation in Energy Research At the 4th EU-Japan Energy Dialogue held in Tokyo on 7 June 2012, EU Commissioner for Energy Guenther Oettinger and Yukio Edano, Minister for Economy, Trade and Industry, agreed to reinvigorate bilateral energy cooperation, recognizing the sector's crucial importance in the overall relations between the EU and Japan. On this occasion, both sides discussed a wide range of energy-related issues, including the reinforcement of joint research activities in areas. Areas for strengthened cooperation will be discussed at a forthcoming meeting of officials. These may include energy storage, reciprocal technical visits in the area of carbon capture and storage, information exchanges in areas such as wind, ocean energy and Smart Grids, as well as cooperation in nuclear safety related research and training activities.

For further information, please contact Barbara Rhode, EU Delegation in Tokyo

EVENTS

"ERC Goes Global" in Japan Although the ERC's funding schemes have attracted considerable attention in Japan, participation from Japanese scientists has remained relatively low. In this context, ERC's Secretary-General Professor Donald Dingwell, visited Japan as part of the ERC Goes Global campaign.

INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH UPDATE September 2012 Issue 27

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Three events were organised on 2 and 3 July 2012 to inform Japanese scientists and Japanese funding organisations on ERC funding mechanisms, the new FP7 calls launched on 10 July, and on the increased opportunities for cooperation under Horizon 2020.

Professor Donald Dingwell with his Japanese Interlocutors

at the EU Delegation in Tokyo

Professor Dingwell's visit included presentations at Osaka University, co-organised by the EU Delegation in Tokyo and the EU Japan Institute of Kobe University; at Tsukuba University, co-organised by the EU Delegation and Tsukuba University, and at the EU Delegation in Tokyo.

For further information, please contact Barbara Rhode, EU Delegation in Tokyo

Symposium on 'EU-ASEAN Science, Technology and Innovation Cooperation' at ESOF 2012 The Partnership Symposium on 'EU-ASEAN Science, Technology and Innovation Cooperation' was one of four Global Partnership Symposia which took place at ESOF 2012 in Dublin. The overall objective of the symposium was to promote bi-regional cooperation between the EU and ASEAN by highlighting good practices of mutual benefit, in the context of the "EU ASEAN Year of Science Technology and innovation 2012" Commissioner Máire Geoghegan-Quinn delivered the opening remarks. Speakers addressed key issues of international research cooperation. They highlighted that EU and ASEAN share common values and that grand challenges such as risk disaster prevention, infectious diseases, can be better addressed through bi-regional cooperation and dedicated instruments, including joint calls for proposals. Speakers also underlined key areas of research excellence in ASEAN, and the awareness among ASEAN countries of Europe's strengths in knowledge production. As the EU's third largest trading partner, ASEAN offers substantial opportunities for EU industry. Both sides will mutually benefit from stronger cooperation in research and innovation.

For further information, please contact Jean-Michel Sers, DG RTD, Directorate D

Regional and Bi-regional Science and Technology Cooperation for Innovation Systems On 9 August 2012 in Bandung, Indonesia, DG DEVCO organized, through the Regional EU-ASEAN Dialogue Instrument, a conference and policy maker workshop on regional and bi-regional science and technology cooperation for innovation systems in ASEAN countries; The event took place in the context of the 10th International Triple Helix Conference from 8 to 10 August, organized by the Bandung Institute of Technology and the Indonesian Ministry of State for Research and Technology (RISTEK).

The Triple Helix Conference in Bandung

Some 30 participants attended the public session and workshop, including policy makers from eight ASEAN S&T Ministries (Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam). Speakers emphasized the key role of S&T cooperation at regional and bi-regional level to support development efforts and offer solutions to global challenges. The European Commission underlined opportunities for strengthening EU-ASEAN S&T cooperation by focusing on social challenges. Participants were encouraged to take advantage of the EU’s competitive funding programmes and ASEAN Networks of Excellence.

For further information, please contact

Jean-Michel Sers, DG RTD, Directorate D Save the Date! "Destination Europe" Event, 6-7 December 2012, San Francisco, USA "Destination Europe" is an initiative to showcase the opportunities Europe has to offer for researchers in the world. It provides a platform for Member States, research organisations, funding agencies and Commission services to highlight the programmes, initiatives, excellent institutions and innovation clusters. The next "Destination Europe" event will take place on 6 and 7 December 2012 in San Francisco. It will include two plenary sessions and break-out sessions dedicated to specific funding schemes (European and national), combined with an exhibition space for stands to inform interested participants.

For further information, please contact Ludger Viehoff, DG RTD, Directorate D

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Cooperation on Research and Innovation with Montenegro: a Step Further towards EU Accession The Second EU-Montenegro Joint Research Committee took place in Podgorica on 31 July 2012. This meeting allowed a useful overview of Montenegro's participation in FP7 as an associated country. Administrative capacity to engage in research with the EU has generally improved. As a small accession country, Montenegro was recommended to become more familiar with the Smart Specialisation Strategy, and to focus efforts on a number of key areas of importance for their economy such as clean technologies and the environment - which is also an important element to encourage tourism on the Adriatic. The visit to the Marine Biology Centre in Kotor demonstrated the potential for a regional centre in marine science. During the visit, preparations started for accession negotiations on the Research and Innovation chapter in view of Montenegro's EU membership to the EU. The screening session on the country's legislation on R&I will take place in Brussels on 24-25 September 2012.

For further information, please contact

Tania Friederichs, DG RTD, Directorate D Taking Stock of Balkan Countries' Progress: WBC Steering Platform on Research Meets in Tirana The Steering Platform on Research met on 12-13 June 2012. It was hosted by Albania who co-chaired the meeting, together with the Danish Presidency and European Commission. This event allowed taking stock of the substantial progress made by all the Balkan countries in Research and Innovation, and informing participants on the latest developments at EU level. The Danish Presidency gave the state of play on the Horizon 2020 proposal, and the Commission briefed the Platform about the Smart Specialisation Strategy. All Balkan countries are now taking action to stimulate innovation. They have been encouraged to strengthen their Research and Innovation capacity, in key areas such as research infrastructures and increased involvement of SMEs in the R&I chain. The commitment from CEI, EUREKA and UNESCO towards the Balkan region was also welcomed by the participants.

For further information, please contact

Tania Friederichs, DG RTD, Directorate D

Impact of International Science & Technology Cooperation: New Studies Launched Three new studies will be launched this autumn following a call for tender earlier in the summer. These studies will provide: i) an assessment of the Impact of International Science & Technology Cooperation Modalities of FP7 and Effectiveness in Focusing Cooperation, both Geographically and Thematically; ii) an assessment of the Basic Principles for Effective International STI Agreements; and, iii) a contribution to measuring European added value of the EU-MS Partnership in International S&T Cooperation. Each of these studies will draw on the experience of international cooperation activities in FP7 and will be completed in 12 months. They will provide useful inputs for future policy development, notably in the context of the ex-post evaluation of FP7.

For further information, please contact Callum Searle, DG RTD, Directorate D

International STI Cooperation Expert Group Report to be Published A high level expert group was set up at the end of 2011 with a mandate to support both the development of the external dimension of the ERA Framework and the Commission Communication on international STI cooperation and subsequent implementation. The expert group led by Dr. Sylvia Schwaag Serger, Executive Director, International Strategy and Networks of VINNOVA will meet for a 6th and last time on 6 September to finalize their report. This report will be published on the International Cooperation website in October.

For further information, please contact Callum Searle, DG RTD, Directorate D

Four New Science Counsellors Appointed in EU Delegations Four new Science Counsellors have been appointed in EU Delegations. We congratulate our colleagues on their appointment:

• Piero Venturi, EU Delegation in Brasilia; • Errol Levy and James Gavigan, EU Delegation in

Washington; • Stéphane Hogan, EU Delegation in Addis Abeba.

FORTHCOMING MEETINGS (SEPTEMBER - DECEMBER 2012) Joint Committee Meetings

12 September Morocco Brussels October/November (TBC) Moldova Brussels

11 October India New Delhi 15-16 October Australia Brussels

19 October Canada Brussels 6 November South Africa South Africa 6 December Israel Brussels

16 November China China

Regional Dialogues 6-8 November EU-AU JEG 8 Cape Town

19-20 November MOCO/UfM Malta 5 December (TBC) Western Balkan Countries Belgrade

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CONTACTS For additional information on this Newsletter, to subscribe, and to submit contributions, please contact: Patrick Vittet-Philippe (Editor) Policy Officer, Japan and Russia Desks International Cooperation Directorate Directorate General for Research and Innovation European Commission patrick.vittet-philippe@ec.europa.eu Tel + 32 2 296 9056 Audrey Franco International Cooperation Directorate Directorate General for Research and Innovation European Commission audrey.franco@ec.europa.eu Tel + 32 2 296 60394