(a) Whether India and European Union have signed an agreement to upgrade bilateral cooperation in science and technology;
(b) if so, the details thereof.
(c) the highlights of the agreement; and
(d) the manner in which the accord is likely to be implemented?
MINISTER OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY (SHRI BACHI SINGH RAWAT)
(a) to (d) A statement is attached.
STATEMENT AS REFERRED IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) to (d) OF UNSTARRED LOK SABHA QUESTION NO.3429 DUE FOR REPLY ON 11.12.2001 REGARDING AGREEMENT BETWEEN INDIA AND EUROPEAN UNION ON S&T
The India-EU Agreement for Scientific & Technological Cooperation has been signed to upgrade bilateral cooperation. This was signed during the 2nd India-EU Summit at New Delhi on November 23, 2001 by Hon`ble Minister for S&T and Ocean Development Dr. Murli Manohar Joshi from the Indian side and H.E.Ms. Annemie Neyts, Belgian Minister for Trade and Agricultural Policy on behalf of European Community along with H.E. Mr. Pascal Lamy, Commissioner for Trade on behalf of European Commission from the EC side.
This Agreement provides for cooperation between our scientific centers of excellence, and between individual scientists, to finding scientific solutions to problems of mutual interest and global relevance. It caters to the following:
- Enabling cooperation in advanced technology sectors in addition to developmental sectors such as natural resources management, agriculture & health;
- Provide reciprocal access to scientists in Research and Technology Development Projects operating at EU and Indian scientific institutions as well as securing IPRs for partners;
- Implementation of joint research projects between scientific centres of excellence on a cost-sharing basis;
- Shared use of advanced research facilities, in particular the access of Indian scientific community to European Large Scale Facilities ;
The implementation of the Agreement involves
(i) developing a common vision for our future scientific and technical cooperation and
(ii) formulation, periodic review and monitoring of joint research projects by the Joint Steering Committee.