The acquis communautaire on Science and Research is based on Article 130 of the Treaty, which empowers the Community to act in four main areas;

	R&D Programmes
	Encourage co-operation with Third Countries
	Dissemination and Optimisation of Results
	Training and Mobility of Researchers

The acquis relating to Science and Research does not require transposition into the national legal order or particular implementation and enforcement measures. The implementation of the acquis primarily concerns participation in the relevant Research and Technological Development (RTD) framework programmes and other related issues such as Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) have to be incorporated into current legislation to bring Malta in line with the Community standards required in the field of R& D.

No problems are foreseen in accepting the acquis upon membership and no derogation or transitional period is requested. Participation in FP5 is considered to constitute the bulk of the implementation of the acquis.

The Acquis of Chapter 17

R&D Programmes

The Community's research and development effort is implemented by means of framework programmes. Malta has a good record of participation in a number of EU science and technology programmes including Avicenne and the Fourth Framework Programme. FP4 came to an end in in 1998 when FP5 entered into force. Malta has participated in a number of FP4 projects, under the INCO Programme and in the thematic programmes on a project by project basis. . Malta-based organisations have participated in six Avicenne projects and a total of fourteen Fourth Framework Programme projects (seven in the First Activity areas and seven under the INCO Programme), namely;

INCO Projects: 

First Activity Projects:

The EU's current R&D Programme is FP5 (1998-2002). FP5 differs radically from its predecessors since it moves away from research based on performance for its own sake to research which focuses on the social and economic problems which face society today. Twenty-three key actions (organised into 4 thematic programmes) have been identified in this regard which range from research on the quality of life and management of living resources to the user-friendly information society, competitive and sustainable growth, energy, environmental and sustainable development and the socio-economic knowledge base. 70% of the Programme's budget is devoted to research in these areas. Other areas or research (known as the horizontal programmes) are: the international role of Community research (INCO), promoting innovation and the participation of SMEs, and Improving Human Ppotential. . In 1999, elevencandidate countries (CEECs and Cyprus) opted for association to FP5 (non-nuclear dimension). Malta applied for association to FP5 in 2000.

In February 2000, the European Commission presented to the European Parliament and Council its research and innovation proposal for the framework programme covering the period 2002-2006. The new proposal aims to achieve greater focus on questions of European importance and a better integration of research efforts on the basis of an improved partnership between the various actors in the European Research Area. This initiative also aims at providing the Union with a genuinely common strategy designed to strengthen Europe's scientific and technological dynamism on an increasingly global stage. This is a deliberate shift from previous framework programmes. 

Co-Operation with Third Countries

One of the objectives of FP5 is better co-ordination of research between Member States, countries outside the EU, international initiatives etc. Malta is currently participating in a number of INCO projects under FP5:

	JEWELMED Comparative Analysis of Manufacturing Technologies in Goldsmithing and Silversmithing from the VII to the I Century BC in the Mediterranean Area.
	CAHRISMA Conservation of the Acoustical Heritage.
	PROMOMED Promotion of local competitiveness and development of local capabilities in the Mediterranean
	SYNERGNET Developing national synergies to enhance Malta's effective participation in the EU's Fifth Framework Programme
	MIPS Mediterranean Innovation Policy Support

Apart from the international co-operation dimension within FP5, the EU has technical co-operation agreements with Switzerland, Iceland, U.S.A, Canada, Australia, Japan and Israel. Malta has signed 13 bilateral agreements which encourage co-operation in the field of science and technology. The agreement which is most active is that with Italy.  Malta is also actively involved in COST since 1997. COST is a European organisation dealing with co-operation in science and technology. Malta is participating in 12 COST projects relating to various subjects. 

Malta is also actively involved at the Euro-Mediterranean level and in a wider international context. In November 1997, it became a member of the International Atomic Energy Agency.

Administrative Capacity and dissemination and Optimization of Results

The Malta Council for Science and Technology (MCST) is the government agency responsible for the management and coordination of Malta's participation in FP5. In this regard, the MCST has set up the National Contact Point Organisation (NCPO) for FP5, made up of National Contact Points (NCPs) for each of the seven programmes. The NCPO is responsible for information and awareness-building, as well as matters concerning advice, assistance, training on procedures, partner search, proposal preparation, training sessions and seminars for target groups.

Any project proposal submitted for funding under FP5 should include a technological implementation plan (TIP). Commercialization and application of results are integral objectives of research projects funded under FP5.

Training and Mobility.

Aspects of training are covered through scholarships, however most research concerns post-graduate studies. 

3. Acceptance of the Acquis/Requests for Special Arrangements 

No problems are foreseen in accepting the acquis upon membership and no derogation or transitional period is requested. Even in areas relating to IPRs referred to under section A, the new draft legislation on intellectual property currently under review should bring us in line with Community standards required in the field of R&D.

Most of the acquis in screening list A refers to FPV

The extent of participation (whether as a leading country or as a partner) largely depends on the level of capacity and the development of networking. 

Several items in Screening list B deal with COST - a European organisation dealing with co-operation in science and technology. Malta has been a member of COST since May 1997. Malta is participating in COST projects relating to ground water management and aquifer protection and tribology.

A number of items of screening list A & B relate to EURATOM (the European Atomic Energy Agency). Reference has been made to Malta's membership of the International Atomic Energy Agency - (Malta became a member in November 1997.

4. Capacity to Implement the Acquis. 

Participation in FPV is considered to constitute the bulk of the implementation of the acquis.