Les changements intervenus dans les pays d'Europe de l'Est, ainsi que dans les nouveaux pays issus de l'ex-Union Soviétique, et aussi la possibilité d'adhésion de plusieurs de ces pays à l'Union européenne (UE), ont donné de nouvelles opportunités de coopération entre les chercheurs de l'Europe de l'Est et ceux de l'UE.
Improving the quality of life and of the environment; researching new production processes adapted to Central and Eastern European countries; analysing socio-economic issues such as drugs consumption : these are some of the themes covered by the 204 new co-operation projects in research and development (RD) which have just been adopted by the European Commission, for a total budget of ECU 46 million, at the initiative of Mrs Edith CRESSON, European Commissioner responsible for Research, Education, Training and Youth.