EU ENGAGEMENT IN RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY - TRENDS, PERSPECTIVES AND NORWEGIAN PARTICIPATION

The article gives an overview of EU engagement in research and technol ogy. A brief historical account is included, as well as a discussion o f future perspectives in this area in view of the broader R&D cooperat ion which the Maastricht treaty opens for, ranging from social affairs to defence, if the overall policy permits. So far, EU investment in R &D has been strongly directed rewards technology and industry. During the first phase the development of nuclear power for civilian use was dominant. Since then industrial orientation has been the raison d'etre . ''To strengthen the industrial base of European industry'' is the fo rmal phrase in the Single Act. Within the Framework Programme funding today is limited to so-called pre-competitive R&D, i.e. non-market R&D . Norway participates in this programme now through the Economic Area Agreement. The article is based on generally available literature, inc luding EU documents and conferences which have dealt with EU policies as well as interviews and discussions with central actors in Brussels.