The Norwegian Research Liason Office opened in Brussels

Speech by Deputy Minister Åge Rosnes at the Norwegian research liason office in Brussels 21.st October 2005.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is a great pleasure for me to be here today. I am very glad to see that Norwegian research is represented here in the heart of Europe, within walking distance from the European Commission and the European Parliament. I would like to thank Sweden, Germany, Switzerland and Poland for letting us share offices with you. It is also very useful for the Norwegian office to become a partner of the IGLO-network. This network of seventeen research liaison offices in Brussels, is important to the Member Countries, and an important partner for the European Commission. The experiences gained by this network, through more than ten years in the field, will be very valuable for us.

I have heard that the office has already become an important meeting place for researchers. Both for those who visit Brussels, and those who seek advice on how to get here. I hope that all researchers, policy makers, and others involved in European research cooperation, will feel at home here, and consider this a natural meeting place.

The office will be an important platform for Norwegian research. In addition to establishing links between Norwegian researchers and potential partners in European research cooperation, it will make our opinions heard. I am confident that Marit (Ellekjær) will know who to speak with at what time. I think this office will contribute to a clearer picture of the Norwegian research landscape. The office will also give an important added value to the work we already do in Brussels. I understand that the office already cooperates closely with our research counsellor (Tore Grønningsæter) and the EU- delegation. The fact that this reception is hosted by the EFTA-delegation, is also evidence of already good relations between the research office and our diplomatic relations with the EU.

The Norwegian Research and Innovation Forum, hosted by our EU-delegation, will continue to be an important venue for presenting Norwegian research to relevant actors in Brussels. I am sure many of you look forward to an interesting seminar tomorrow. I am glad that the research office will be involved also in the important work of the Research and Innovation Forum.

Personally, I am glad to be here, on behalf of the new Norwegian government. As you may know, the government has placed knowledge; education and research, on top of our agenda. The new Ministry of Education and Research has been strengthened, by also including kindergartens. We feel very strongly that kindergartens should be included in the education policy. We have high ambitions on behalf of both education and research. Like many other European countries, Norway is a high-cost country. Many of our competitors will always have lower taxes than us. In a global economy, knowledge, created through excellent education and research, is our best card to play.

In order for Norway to continue to create values and wealth, we must invest in knowledge, from kindergarten to doctoral level. Research and research-based knowledge will play an increasingly important role in the development of new and existing industries, in the public sector and in society as a whole. We therefore have a strong commitment to research.

To enable Norway to become a leading research nation, our goal is to invest 3 per cent of our GDP in research by 2010. At least one per cent of this should come from public sources. We will give higher priority to basic research with a continued focus on quality. At the same time, we need more industry-driven research. Stronger collaboration between enterprises and research institutions will be encouraged. In order to achieve more and better research, it is also important to recruit more researchers to do the job. We will therefore increase the number of PhD fellowship positions and post-doctoral positions. A career in research must be attractive, and open up possibilities for working abroad.

The new government gives high priority to international research cooperation. International research cooperation is of vital importance to ensure the quality and renewal of Norwegian research. We want to encourage Norwegian scientists, research institutions and industry to take advantage of knowledge and technology developed abroad. We are committed to make Norwegian research communities attractive partners.

As you know, the new government will not apply for Norwegian EU membership. Our co-operation with the EU is based on the EEA agreement. We will take steps to make our interests heard more clearly, and our policy towards the EU more active. We will take active part in important European networks, and bring back valuable experience. This will hopefully stimulate the debate at home. The opening of the research office today, is totally in line with this ambition.

The EU and Norway share a number of interests and priorities related to research policy. Norway supports the idea and efforts to create a European Research Area. We are pleased with the development towards stronger and more committed cooperation between European countries in the field of research. I believe this will result in a better use of our resources, and in more high quality research.

Norway has learnt a lot from more than 10 years of active involvement in European framework programmes for research. We have been active in the planning and preparation of new framework programmes. Our impression is that our inputs are well received and taken into account by the Commission. Evaluations and statistics show that Norwegian researchers are actively involved in a broad range of projects under the EU framework programme for research, and that applications with Norwegian participation have a success rate well above average.

We will continue to give our input to the seventh framework programme. I am also sure that Norwegian researchers will continue to contribute to excellent European research and innovation within the seventh framework programme.

The new research office in Brussels is established at a crucial moment. The outcome of the negotiations on the seventh framework programme is important to us. It is vital that we continue our open dialogue with the Commission and other actors here in Brussels. I am confident that this Office will give fruitful inputs to this dialogue, and wish you great success in your work here.

Thank you.