Interview: Comparisons of R&D spending 'not always helpful'[fr][de] 

"Comparisons, while useful, are not always helpful. Remember, we are 27 countries, with different languages, different scientific cultures and very different starting points. The bulk of our public research funding – about 95% - is spent at member-state level. The US and Japan are single states, with a much more homogenous scientific level [...] and much more centralised funding for science," said Potočnik. He admitted, however, that Europe has "quite a way to go" before catching up with American and Japanese levels of R&D spending.

Regarding Europe's success in winning Nobel Prizes, Potočnik said he found the year 2007 "a very good year for Europe". Compared to zero prizes won the previous year, in 2007 Europeans won the chemistry, physics and literature prizes, and were also involved in the medicine and peace prizes as well as the International Panel on Climate Change.

"We do have many excellent scientists working here, and I'm glad that the Nobel committees recognised that in 2007. I can only hope the same will be true in 2008 and beyond! Maybe the work we are doing with the best of Europe's scientists, through the creation of the European Research Council, will lead to some more European Nobel laureates in the future," said Potočnik. 

As for Turkey's EU entry and future scientific co-operation, the EU research commissioner said that he was "very glad" that Turkey was a part of FP7 because "as an associated member it is to all intents and purposes on an equal footing with the member states". 

"Obviously the main thing is to keep the channels of communication open, so you know what we're doing and we know what you're doing," he told EurActiv Turkey. "That's true of the whole process, not just the science side," he added.

He was also pleased to note that Turkey is particularly involved in many projects in the EU research framework programme's "People" sub-programme. "As I have already said, so much of our future co-operation depends on creating good personal relationships, and staff exchanges and research fellowships are a major part of that."

To read the interview in full, please click here.