The ICCR was commissioned by the DG XII (INCO) to study RTD collaboration activities of EU/EEA countries with the Newly Independent States. The Study relied on a survey among experts and professionals in public institutions (mainly experts) and major research organisations.
The major target of RTD co-operation activities initated by the EU/EEA countries on a bilateral level is Russia. Joint activities are also ongoing with the Ukraine and Belarus, but there are in comparison limited in scope. With all other NIS there could be identified no systematic co-operation activities on the bilateral level.
As in the case of the Central European and Baltic States, the forerunners in RTD co-operation are France and Germany. Smaller countries with a strategy in this field include the Netherlands and the Northics. The main form of RTD co-operation with Russia and the NIS are scientific exchanges. There are only a few examples of research collaboration the notable exceptions are in the field of space research, defence convension and nuclear energy. In the field of environment and energy there exist a number of activities, albeit in the form of technical assistance.
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Gothenburg University, Sweden
