Germany reinforces bilateral research ties

Brussels, 16 Sep 2004

Germany has recently strengthened its bilateral scientific cooperation with both Hungary and Israel.

On 15 September, German Education and Research Minister Edelgard Bulmahn was in Budapest to sign a German-Hungarian declaration of intent on cooperation in scientific research and technological development.

Increased cooperation will benefit both countries by decreasing the length of time that it takes to turn knowledge into products and services, and thereby increasing competitiveness, states the agreement.

Cooperation will take the form of joint projects spanning several years. An initial pilot project will see researchers from both countries working together in the field of ambient intelligence. The researchers will be based in both Germany and Hungary and will receive six million euro in funding - to be contributed in equal parts by both countries.

'We are leading outstanding achievements in information technology together and are thus creating the basis for the creation of new markets and for secure jobs for the future in both countries,' said Ms Bulmahn. 'We are making a considerable effort to make Europe the most innovative region in the world.'

The German Research Minister has also been speaking out in favour with further cooperation with Israel. The two countries have already formed many links in the field of science and now intend to focus attention on ties between the two ministries' research funding programmes and support for scientific spin-offs.

Both Edelgard Bulmahn and Israeli Science Minister Ilan Shalgi attended a meeting of the German-Israeli Foundation for Scientific Research and Development on 13 September. The Foundation was established in 1986 in order to support joint research projects. Around 750 bilateral projects have already received funding, and this number is guaranteed to increase as both ministers agreed on 13 September to an increase in the Foundation's budget.

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