MINUTES OF THE EPTA-DIRECTORS MEETING IN PARIS, FRANCE30 March 20041. News from EPTA members and associatesOngoing and forecast study programmes; summary reminder by each of the participants of the main topics addressed and statement, where applicable, of changes recorded in recent years. The representatives of EPTA members and associates spoke successively on this point: Mr Jyrki Kasvi, MP for Finland, Mr Jean-François Peyrot for France, Mr Sergio Bellucci for Switzerland, Mr Lars Klüver for Denmark, Mr David Cope and Mrs Chandryka Nath for the United Kingdom, Mr Tore Tennöe for Norway, Mr Paul Engstfeld for STOA (European Parliament), Mr Philippe Dally (France), Mr Aziz Naji (Belgium), Mr Antonio Mene and Mr A. de Franciscis, MP, (Italy), Mr Kostas Papadimitriou (Greece), Mr Jordi Mas (Catalan Foundation for Research), Mr Armin Grunwald (Germany), Mr Robby Berloznik (Flanders), Mr Joao Ary (Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe). 2. Applications for EPTA membership.* Catalonia As the Catalan Foundation for Research had sent the Swiss presidency at the end of 2003 and the beginning of 2004 the items supporting its application for EPTA membership, Mr Jordi Mas handed in at the present meeting the official application with the authorisation of the Parliament of the Generalitat of Catalonia with which it has ties. The French presidency and the Swiss presidency therefore recommended that this application be considered favourably at the Council meeting in October 2004 where the decision will be taken. * Also, the items Mrs Majlène Westerlund-Panke posted to the French presidency on behalf of RIFO (Association of Swedish Members of Parliament and Researchers) in support of its membership application were announced and will be transmitted later. Mrs Majlène Westerlund-Panke, who had been invited at its request to the present meeting, was unable to attend. Informing European parliaments non-members of EPTA about the assessment activity of its members.It was agreed that an event, such as a conference or a symposium, could be organised at the initiative of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly’s Committee on Culture, Science and Education some time during 2005; EPTA members shall give there a concrete presentation of their methods and activities. This event does not rule out other initiatives which may be taken along such lines later. Topic of the October 2004 EPTA meeting (25-26 October).In the framework of the ‘European research and innovation area’ topic, it was desired that emphasis should be placed on innovation and competitiveness, which should be illustrated by presenting the contribution made by technology assessment. Involvement of parliamentarians in science and technology assessment.In connection with the discussion on the October conference topic, the proposal was mooted to set aside, at the beginning of the session, a two-hour period for parliamentarians. Announcement of a joint study project on information technologies and privacy.After the presentation of this project currently shared between Denmark, Norway and Austria, Mr Lars Klüver, its coordinator, said that the other EPTA members could decide to join in, with a view to active participation, within a one year period maximum. * Consultation of the directors by Mr Serge Bellucci with a view to the drafting of the report by Mr Randegger, a Swiss MP, on T.A. in Europe for the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly’s Committee on Culture, Science and Education (under miscellaneous points). Seven bodies have already given their answers and Mr Serge Bellucci requested that the other answers and complementary elements should be rapidly sent to him. EPTA presidencyFlanders will hold the presidency in 2005 and for 2006 Norway has proposed to do so. This candidature was unanimously approved.The following four points remaining on the agenda:
will be examined at a meeting to be held in Paris on 27 September 2004. Back to document index |
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