The main motto of the Czech presidency in the first half of 2009 is "Europe without barriers". Every "Council" has
been chosen a subtitle and the Czech one will promote the idea of "Europe competitive and open". The presidency
will focus in this part of its agenda on competitiveness, four freedoms and liberal commercial policy.
The research agenda has to reflect these main guidelines. So, in the context of these ideas and the recent public
discussion on ERA, the Czech Republic chose a structured priority for its presidency: "The ERA without barriers".
Within this priority several areas of interest were chosen.
Research Infrastructures
The first area of interest concerns research infrastructures. Excellent research infrastructures are considered of great importance in the outcomes of the public discussion and in addition to this they are considered a topic to be dealt with on European level. In 2009 the first stock taking of the preparatory phase of the ESFRI Roadmap can be made. At the same time in most new member states the RIs to be built from Structural funds will be known (at least the large projects) and synergies can be found between the two endeavors. Also, the CR would like to focus on the RIs as natural knowledge triangles, where universities, research institutions and industry can meet, to the competitiveness of regions where they are located. Another issue to be discussed will be the sustainability of the research infrastructures.
Development and Mobility
The second area of interest is the development of human resources in research and development and mobility of researchers. This topic is also considered by the respondents of the public consultation on the Green Book on ERA as a problem of pan - European interest. The CR would like to focus on the removing of mobility barriers and development of carrier for the young scientists. The CR will also focus on the implementation of the Researchers´ passport by different member states. In this context the CR will stir the discussion on the theme of women in science.
Investment into Research and Development
Another area of interest is the theme of evaluation of results of investments into research and development. During the CZ PRES conference EUFORDIA the EC will present the evaluation of the 6th FP and the Czech Republic would like to continue in this direction proving the importance of ex-post evaluation of research and development results as the basis for intelligent policy making.
