Commission Agenda Entry: Friday, 13 October: Security research

Brussels, 06 Oct 2006

The news:

The Commission will present the projects selected under the Preparatory Action on 'Enhancement of the European industrial potential in the field of Security Research 2004-2006' (PASR). PASR focuses in particular on the development of a European security research agenda to bridge the gap between civil research, as supported by EC Framework Programmes, and national and intergovernmental security research initiatives.

A large panel of independent experts evaluated the 3rd call for proposals of the PASR action. With 165 proposals submitted the response to this call was again overwhelming. With an available budget of €15 Million, fifteen proposals - 8 technology projects and 7 supporting activities - were selected.

Main topics addressed by the 8 selected projects are: detection of explosives and biological agents (including liquids), management tools for humanitarian and rescue operations, protection of drinking water network against chemical or biological terrorist attack, tracking system for identification of financial transactions linked to crime or terrorist activities, wireless communication network for emergency and security end-users.

The selected supporting activities are complementary, covering some specific fields related to coordination security network, involvement of SMEs, human behaviour and standardisation.

In April 2005, a European Security Research Advisory Board (ESRAB), composed of private and public security stakeholders, was created to define strategic lines of action for the future security research programme. Dr Helmut Krumes Chairman of ESRAB will participate in the press conference and will formally present the groups report on the strategic lines for future research to Vice President Verheugen.

The event:
Press conference by Vice President Verheugen at the Berlaymont in Brussels.

• EbS coverage

The sources:
IP/05/1031 MEMO/05/116 ; MEMO/05/7
European Commission website:
http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/security/events/vienna_2006_report.htm

The contacts:
Mark Gray + 32 2 29 8 8644; Catherine Bunyan + 32 2 29 96512

Item source: AGENDA/05/9