EECAlink project, launched under the Czech Presidency of the EU in 2009 and aiming to improve international cooperation in the area of health research, enters its next phase. A conference, which took place on Tuesday 7 June 2011 at the Permanent Representation of the Czech Republic to the EU in Brussels, evaluated its results and future development.

The Conference, coordinated by the Czech Liaison Office for Research and Development (CZELO), was opened by the Czech Permanent Representative to the EU Milena Vicenová. „It is extremely important to work on better development of international cooperation in health research among the EU and the countries of East Europe and Central Asia,“ Ambassador Vicenová said. „Broad opportunities for cooperation exist and they should be exploited more,“ she added.

EECAlink project is funded from 7th Framework Programme for research and links 17 partners from 12 countries. Its goal is to improve international cooperation in the area of health research among the EU Member States and the countries of Eastern Europe and Central Asia (EECA). The project started in June 2009 during the Czech Presidency of the Council of the EU and it is a good example of cooperation under an umbrella of Eastern Partnership. Its goal is to fill current gaps, to avoid duplication in health system funding coming from national and European resources and to formulate recommendations about common priorities.

The role of a coordinator in this project belongs to 1st Medical School of Charles University in Prague, which proves the success of the Czech research at the international arena.

The Conference at the Czech Permanent Representation evaluated present results of the EECAlink project, introduced common research priorities of involved countries in the area of health, and discussed next questions and areas of future cooperation.

For example, the representative of Armenia stressed that the most problematic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes and infections are given priority in research in EECA countries. On the other hand, study of maternal and child care, health complications resulting from work in stressful environments as well as the production of medication from local herbs and materials.

The representative of the European Commission appreciated this project and stated that starting 2013, the Commission will focus on development of public and private partnership and on dissemination and utilization of research results among EU, Eastern Europe and Central Asia.

More info:

• EECAlink