OREANDA-NEWS. The Research and Development Council that gathered today in Stenbock House discussed Estonia's co-operation with the European Space Agency and recommended that the Government should start accession negotiations with the Agency.

The Council that advises the Government in matters relating to the research and development strategy was of the opinion that Estonia's accession to the European Space Agency is essential and suggested that the Government should start negotiations to join the Agency.

The discussion was driven by the expiry of the agreement of the Plan For European Cooperating States (PECS) between Estonia and the European Space Agency after which Estonia has to decide whether to join the European Space Agency Convention or not.

As the second item on the agenda, the Research and Development Council discussed the updated roadmap for research infrastructure in Estonia and the Estonian participation perspective in the European project of creating a neutron source.

The roadmap for research infrastructures is a tool for long-term investment planning of Estonia's research infrastructure. As from 2010, a total of 18 out of 20 implemented roadmap objects will remain on the map. Furthermore, 4 of them are brand new objects. The Research and Development Council granted its approval to the updated roadmap and considered Estonia's participation in international research centres and research infrastructures (CERN, ESS, ESA, etc.) an important national priority.

The Research and Development Council decided at its meeting today to also order a report on the network and policies of the Estonian universities and other research institutions, including institutions of professional higher education. The decision was driven by the desire to take a closer look before launching the support measures for the new period if and what kind of structural changes are needed to be carried out in the network and policies of the institutions to increase the competitiveness of the research institutions and the higher education system.

The Research and Development Council advises the Government in matters relating to the research and development strategy. The Chairman of the Research and Development Council is the Prime Minister.