Work
20.September 2004 - 00:00
Convention on the European Forest Institute
Korhola's question: The European Forest Institute (www.efi.fi) is Europe's leading forest research network and association. It has more than 130 member organisations specialising in forestry and the environment in 37 countries and six project centres in different parts of Europe. 20 countries have signed the Convention on the European Forest Institute and four have already ratified it. In order for the Convention to enter into force, eight countries must ratify it; representatives of the States which have ratified it form a Board, which is the Institute's highest decision-making body. The European Community too has been invited to accede to the Convention on the EFI.
Is the Commission aware of the possibility of acceding to the Convention? What are the Commission's intentions with regard to the Convention, and what stage have the European Community's plans for affiliating to the European Forest Institute reached?
Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission
The Commission is aware of the possibility of acceding to the Convention on the European Forest Institute (EFI). The Finnish Government has kept the Commission informed on the preparation of the Convention from the outset of the process.
The Commission wishes to indicate that there is already close and fruitful co-operation between the European Forestry Institute and the relevant Commission services in important forestry issues and the Commission would like to continue this co-operation in the future. The European Forestry Institute also participates, together with other research institutes, universities and companies, in numerous research projects implemented under the EU Research Framework Programmes.
As to the Commission’s intentions with regard to the Convention on the EFI, the Commission does not consider it appropriate to become formally involved in bodies such as the EFI, which regularly apply for research funding or grants from the Community research budget, as this could be seen as compromising the independence of the Institution.
Korhola's question: The European Forest Institute (www.efi.fi) is Europe's leading forest research network and association. It has more than 130 member organisations specialising in forestry and the environment in 37 countries and six project centres in different parts of Europe. 20 countries have signed the Convention on the European Forest Institute and four have already ratified it. In order for the Convention to enter into force, eight countries must ratify it; representatives of the States which have ratified it form a Board, which is the Institute's highest decision-making body. The European Community too has been invited to accede to the Convention on the EFI.
Is the Commission aware of the possibility of acceding to the Convention? What are the Commission's intentions with regard to the Convention, and what stage have the European Community's plans for affiliating to the European Forest Institute reached?
Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission
The Commission is aware of the possibility of acceding to the Convention on the European Forest Institute (EFI). The Finnish Government has kept the Commission informed on the preparation of the Convention from the outset of the process.
The Commission wishes to indicate that there is already close and fruitful co-operation between the European Forestry Institute and the relevant Commission services in important forestry issues and the Commission would like to continue this co-operation in the future. The European Forestry Institute also participates, together with other research institutes, universities and companies, in numerous research projects implemented under the EU Research Framework Programmes.
As to the Commission’s intentions with regard to the Convention on the EFI, the Commission does not consider it appropriate to become formally involved in bodies such as the EFI, which regularly apply for research funding or grants from the Community research budget, as this could be seen as compromising the independence of the Institution.