DR. JOSHI TO
ADDRESS EUROPEAN RESEARCH CONGRESS - SPECIAL HONOUR
The European Commission
has invited the Minister for Human Resource Development and Science
and Technology Dr. Murli Manohar Joshi as a special guest to deliver
an address on Technology and Fundamental Science at the European
Research Congress – 2002 beginning in Brussels on Monday.
This is probably the first time that a Minister from outside the
European Union has been invited to address the Congress, a rare
honour to Dr. Joshi for his commitment to the development of science
as well as in recognition of India’s technological advancement.
It is all the more noteworthy that Dr. Joshi will be speaking
at the inaugural session.
The congress is expected
to be attended by over 6000 high-level delegates including ministers
and top scientists. The Prime Ministers of Belgium as well as
of Spain will also address the meeting which will mark the launch
of the European Union’s 6th framework programme for
research covering the period 2002 to 2006. It will cover cross-cutting
issues of the European research area such as human resources and
mobility, patenting and intellectual property rights, etc. among
other subjects.
During the stay in
Brussels Dr. Joshi will take the opportunity of meeting various
European leaders and scientists and explore the possibilities
of scientific cooperation with the EU. He is also scheduled to
deliver a lecture at the European Policy Centre on ‘Indian
contribution to Science and Technology’ besides having talks with
his Belgian counterpart.
Dr. Joshi, who is
now in Teheran for talks with his Iranian counterpart Dr. Mostafa
Moeen will be signing a joint statement tomorrow with the two
sides expressing firm commitment to step-up bilateral cooperation
in science and technology, which was going through a tardy phase.
