YEREVAN (Noyan Tapan)– "The goal of our visit is to integrate Armenia’s science into European science for the common good," assistant to the NATO Secretary General on scientific and environmental protection issues Yves Siar said at a meeting with scientists on Friday. He presented the priority trends of the new "Science for Peace" NATO program–pointing out that the program is currently undergoing considerable changes to support and develop scientific ties between the scientists of the Euroatlantic bloc and those of the partner-countries. It means–Siar said–that starting from 1998 all the scientific projects sponsored by NATO should include partner-countries–and for that purpose subsidies granted to these countries are expected to be raised.
The program provides for the training of young specialists–exchange of scientists–short- and long-term cooperation–support of priority trends which–in particular–include environmental protection–applied high technologies–computer networks development and elaboration of scientific and technological policy as well as copyright protection in concluding agreemen’s.
Siar reported that although the size of the budget hasn’t been specified yet–it is expected to amount to several million dollars.
Talking to a Noyan Tapan reporter–Siar pointed out that Armenia has great research potential. He said that the program does not provide for special quotas for member-countries–and the share of Armenia’s participation in the program will only depend on the quality of the submitted projects. About 30 NATO-sponsored projects are currently being implemented in Armenia.