Interview with Janez Potocznik

  Allow me please to address you, a European Commissioner for Science and Research, to express your attitude to the problem of the Czech leadership in the EU, which is starting at the beginning of next year: what kind of positive impacts might the Czech Presidency bring to the Czech science and research?
By working towards the goals of European Research Policy, the Czech Presidency will bring benefits to Czech science and research, just as it will to science and research all over the EU. I welcome the steps that the Czech Republic has already taken towards reforming its universities, such as the amendment to Higher Education Act 2005 which has given more autonomy to institutions, as well as the promotion of excellence in university-based research through specific programmes such as the Centres of Basic Research. 

These developments fit with our plans at European level, and position the Czech Republic to play a full part. One striking example is the one of the Czech's performance in the European Research Council. The ERC is a key instrument for attracting and retaining excellent researchers in the EU. The Czech Republic shows that relatively new EU Member States, often with a rich research tradition but limited research funding, can be successful in the ERC. Although the overall numbers are small and the statistics uneven because of the limited number of calls, the Czech Republic has been successful in attracting grants and, even more important, it was able to attract Czech nationals to move back from abroad to their home country.

 And, of course, there will be some specific benefits to Czech science and research from the Presidency, such as the influx of researchers for events such as "Research Connection 2009", or to attend the ambitious programme of conferences you propose. This will draw numerous researchers from across Europe to Prague, bringing increased visibility for research and opportunities for networking and collaboration.

 All Member States should stay focused on improving their attractiveness as locations for research and other investment and get fully prepared to make the most of the next economic upturn. This makes knowledge-related reforms and investments even more important than during phases of economic expansion.

 
And contrary, how could during its Presidency period Czech Republic contribute to the support of science and research in Europe?
The Czech Republic can put research high on its agenda and show real political will to forge ahead with the implementation of the European Research Area, which is what I heard during my visit. At EU level, I am pleased to see the progress which is being made to agree a common vision and improved political governance for the ERA since the launch of the Ljubljana Process in May. The ERA fits well with the overall theme of your presidency: A Europe without barriers.

 But we also need to ensure that we match these high level political commitments with real joint action in tackling our common challenges. Commission proposals have now been presented to Council for the five ERA initiatives announced for 2008: on intellectual property management by public research organisations; on researchers' mobility; on joint programming; on a legal framework for research infrastructures and on international cooperation. The key is now in their implementation, for which we need a strong partnership between the Community and Member States.

 At a time of economic turmoil, it is essential to keep up the momentum to establish the Fifth Freedom – freedom of movement of knowledge – and to strengthen the European competitiveness by investing in knowledge, innovation and human capital as decided by the 2008 Spring European Council.  We will really make progress in Europe when we are working in partnership with the Member States and when Member States take up the initiative – then we can make great strides. So for example, I of course welcome the fact that Czech Republic has set an ambitious target for increasing expenditure on R&D. 

 
What is your opinion to the fact that Czech Republic has not signed the Lisbon treaty yet. Could this fact affect anyhow the guideline strategy of science and research in EU?
The ratification of the Lisbon Treaty is under the responsibility of the Member States following the national procedures. Up to now, the Commission has welcomed the 24 ratifications of the Lisbon Treaty. Only Ireland, Sweden and the Czech Republic are still under the process of ratification. We hope the Czechs will be able to undertake this commitment as soon as possible.

 
Which topics in the field of R& D have the priority within EU and which of them, according to your opinion, should be supported during the Czech presidency?
There are many facets to EU research policy. From where I'm standing, I think we can already identify some basic priorities: keeping up momentum on knowledge-related reforms for the Lisbon Strategy for Growth and Jobs; implementing initiatives for the European Research Area; finalising the legal framework for European Research Infrastructures; developing the evaluation of the impact of R&D investments and improving the opportunities and environment for researchers.
This last question of the day-to-day conditions for European researchers is a particularly important focus, which we have approached through the European Partnership for Researchers. Key areas for action are the systematic opening up of recruitment, meeting the social security and pension needs of mobile researchers, providing fair employment and working conditions, and ensuring that researchers have the right training and skills.
We will make progress at the EU level through the Member States, who have to take responsibility for the actions to be taken at the national level.  For example, the EC Recommendation on the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for their recruitment is a well recognised policy tool to improve the working environment for researchers in Europe. So far, in the Czech Republic only the Academy of Science has signed up to the Charter & Code. We hope and expect that there will be further endorsement of the Charter & Code at Ministerial level and also from the Czech Universities and research bodies.

Gabriela Adámková,

Editor of Academic bulletin