ThesixthEuratomframeworkprogramme2003–2006:adrivingforcefortheconstructionoftheNuclearEuropeanResearchAreaOriginalResearchArticle

AttheLisbon2000summit,astrategicgoalwasproposedfortheEuropeanUnion:“tobecomethemostcompetitiveknowledge-basedeconomywithmoreandbetteremploymentandsocialcohesionby2010”.Overall,inparticularinthecommunityofnuclearfissionresearch,thisECinitiativewaswellacceptedbythemainstakeholders.InEurope,themainstakeholders(i.e.suppliersand/ordemanders)ofnuclearresearchareactually:theresearchorganisations(withmixedpublic/privatefunding),themanufacturingindustry(orvendors),theutilities(orengineeringcompanies),theregulatorybodies(ortechnicalsafetyorganisations)andtheacademia(oruniversities).InresponsetotheLisbon2000objectives,CommissionerP.BUSQUINlaunchedtheconceptofEuropeanResearchArea(ERA)whichsetsalsotheframefortheFP-6.