The 10 countries that joined the European Union in 2004 are being encouraged to develop strategies for involvement in European aeronautics research programmes and have been invited by the European Commission to a workshop in Brussels this week.
The 10 – Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia – will be told that now is the time to begin developing ideas for inclusion in the forthcoming 7th Framework programme, which will include the biggest slice of aeronautics research ever undertaken by the EC. The programme kicks off at the end of 2006, “but we want them to start thinking about it now”, says the Commission.
Smaller countries such as Austria and Ireland have succeeded in finding “niche” activities in which they can specialise and provide high-quality aviation products and services. Ireland, for example, has focused on maintenance and Austria on small aircraft. The Netherlands’ Fokker is now part of Stork, a major international player specialising in composites.
“We need to focus on a global European approach and this workshop aims to show countries how they can get on board,” says the EC.
JULIAN MOXON/LONDON
Source: Flight International
