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Dept of Trade and Industry

Answer

Mr. Dobbin: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the outcome of the Research Council held in Brussels on 2 December; and if he will make a statement. [101692] Ms Hewitt: The Research Council of 2 December: 1. Concluded bilateral scientific and technological co-operation agreements with Argentina and China and approved a decision to sign a similar agreement with Russia; 2. Adopted Conclusions on the preparation of future Community RTD Framework Programmes; 3. Adopted a Resolution on developing a coherent European space strategy; 4. Adopted Conclusions concerning waste management and decommissioning obsolete nuclear installations of the Joint Research Centre (JRC); 5. Adopted a Decision approving a supplementary programme for the High Flux Reactor at Petten in the Netherlands; 6. Received information from the Commission on the implementation of the Fourth and Fifth Framework Programmes including the participation of associated CEECs and Cyprus, on women and science in light of the recent European Technology Assessment Network (ETAN) report and from the Presidency and the Commission on the ASEM Ministerial Conference of 14-15 October 1999. There was also a discussion on the possible co-ordination of various member states' "Science Week" activities with a European Science Week.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

341 c15W; 101692

Session

1999-00

Subjects

Decommissioning Women International cooperation EU action Nuclear power stations Waste management Research Science Spaceflight EC Research Council