Press Release: Commission calls for a boost in basic research

European Research Commissioner Philippe Busquin presented on 15 January 2004 the European Union's blueprint on basic research. The Communication, 'Europe and basic research', provides an overview of basic research in the EU compared with other regions, including the US and Japan, and calls for a debate on how to promote this field. Basic research is an important part of the European scientific landscape and a field in which Europe has always excelled. However, for the past two decades, it has been overshadowed by other priorities mainly applied, market-oriented research. But Europe cannot afford to neglect basic research. In recent months, the scientific community has launched an intense debate on the need to act. By adopting this Communication, the Commission wishes to contribute to this discussion.

http://ec.europa.eu/comm/research/press/2004/pdf/acte_en_version_final_15janv_04.pdf http://ec.europa.eu/comm/research/press/2004/pdf/acte_en_version_final_15janv_04.pdf

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