EU-Report Accession Bulgaria

Chapter 17: Science and research

Little progress has been made since the last Regular Report.

In 2001, a National Framework for the development of science and research was adopted. This aims inter alia at an annual growth of 0.15% of GERD/GDP (gross expenditure on research and development as part of GDP). Amendments to the law on public procurement adopted in April 2002 give universities and research institutes equal rights with companies in public procurement tenders. A ``2002 ­ 2006 SME strategy'' was adopted with a view to increasing participation by SMEs in science-related activities.

Since the last Regular Report, Bulgaria has continued to be associated with the Fifth EC Framework Programme, as well as with the Fifth Euratom Framework Programme. Bulgaria has expressed its interest in being associated with the Sixth Framework Programme (2002-2006). With a view to this, a government decision approved five national scientific programmes in genomics, the information society, nanotechnologies and new materials, ``Bulgarian society ­ part of Europe'' and cosmic research. The programmes are co-ordinated by the National Council on Scientific Research.

Overall assessment

The framework for co-operation in the field of science and technology (including National Contact Points) continues to be well established. However, in the absence of an effective policy maker for this sector, an overall strategy for scientific research and technological development is still missing and relevant legislative measures, including a law for the promotion of research or legislation on high-tech park activities, have been delayed for a long time. The gross domestic expenditure on R&D is low and needs to be increased. The decision to aim for annual growth of 0.15% in gross domestic expenditure on research and technological development could be a positive step, provided that it is implemented. Though science is indicated as one priority in the Government Programme adopted in September 2001, the concrete objectives and tasks set out have hardly been addressed. This includes better co-operation among science, education and the economy. Business expenditure on research and development needs to be further increased.

Conclusion

In its 1997 Opinion, the Commission concluded that making Bulgarian research and technological development efficient and competitive at European level would need greater efforts. It added, however, that no major problems should be expected in this field in the perspective of accession.

Since the Opinion, Bulgaria has become associated with the Framework Programme and with the Euratom Framework Programme and the necessary financial and institutional conditions for these have been created.

Negotiations on this chapter have been provisionally closed. Bulgaria has not requested any transitional arrangements in this area. Bulgaria is generally meeting the commitments it has made in the accession negotiations in this field.

Bulgaria should now focus efforts on further reinforcement of research-related administrative capacity and infrastructure, inter alia to ensure the successful association of Bulgaria with the relevant Framework Programmes.

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