GIUSEPPE TRITTO

Following the recommendations of different meetings, the Venice Conference of Experts1 on the reconstruction of Scientific co-operation in SEE (24-27 March 2001 UNESCO Venice Office); the Round Table of Ministers of Science on Rebuilding Scientific Co-operation in SEE (24 October 2001, 31st session of the UNESCO General Conference); the further High Level Conference (4-5 April 2002, UNESCO, Paris), it has been recognized that rebuilding scientific co-operation is a key element for consolidating social, economic and political stability in SEE. At each event, it was unanimously stated that a high performance network would be a key tool for strengthening Research and Development in this region and for facilitating the integration of SEE countries into a pan-European scientific network. Such a network also is particularly useful, not only for Science & Technology but also for education, social, culture and human sciences and, therefore for the stability of this region.