Commission Report 2002 (Slovakia)

• Progress since the last Regular Report
• Overall assessment
• Conclusion

Chapter 17: Science and research

Progress since the last Regular Report

Further progress has been made in this area since the last Regular Report.

The legal framework was enhanced by the Act on Science and Technology and the Act on the Slovak Academy of Sciences, which were both adopted by the Parliament in February 2002. The National Council also adopted the new Act on University Education in February 2002. The Agency for the Support of Science and Technology continued to work effectively.

During the reference period, Slovakia continued to be associated with the Fifth EC Framework Programme, as well as with the Fifth Euratom Framework Programme. Slovakia has expressed interest in being associated with the Sixth Framework Programme (2002-2006).

Overall assessment

The framework for co-operation in the field of science and technology (including National Contact Points) is well established Slovakia should, however, further increase the financial support and strengthen the administrative capacity in this area.

To develop the sector further and to ensure that Slovakia is fully integrated into the European Research Area, it is important to increase gross domestic expenditure on research and technological development. The private sector, including SMEs, should also be encouraged to participate more actively in research and technological development.

The legal and institutional framework for State support to science and research is now in place.

Conclusion

In its 1997 Opinion, the Commission concluded that in the perspective of accession, no major problems should be expected in this field.

Since the Opinion, Slovakia has made progress and has strengthened co-operation with the EU in this field.

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

In order to complete preparations for membership, Slovakia should focus further efforts on increasing the financial support and strengthening the administrative capacity, as a key factor in Slovakia's successful association with the Communities' RTD Framework Programmes.

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