The event is aimed at fostering partnership and stimulating scientific discussions about research priorities in the area of ICT Trust and Security in view of the upcoming FP7 call for proposals that will be launched in the summer. One of the objectives of the Fair is to stimulate participation to EU-funded research (FP7) in the area of ICT Trust and Security from partners from Central and Eastern European Countries. The Institute for Parallel Processing – Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (IPP-BAS) organizes and chairs the Thematic Session “Secure & Trustworthy Network Infrastructures”. We have speakers from several ongoing FP7 projects on Security and Critical Infrastructures: WOMBAT, INSPIRE, INTERSECTION, as well as representatives from NASK/CERT Polska, Palacky University, and IPP-BAS. They will present their current research activities and the opportunities for future research in the field of ICT Trust & Security.

The project participants from Central and Eastern European EU Member States (EU12) will share their experience and success stories from past EU-funded projects. The session also aims at stimulating discussion on emerging research challenges in the area and exchange ideas for potential proposals for the upcoming call and partnership building among participants in view of the formation of project consortia. Those who are looking for new research opportunities and are willing to participate in the Thematic Session and the ICT Fair can visit the website and register for the event. We are looking forward to seeing you in Olomouc.

In 1995, the EU decided to negotiate a “Framework Agreement on Trade and Cooperation“, in recognition of South Korea’s increasing role in the Asian and global economy, and of its success in consolidating democracy. This Agreement entered into force in April 2001 and is implemented through an annual meeting of a Joint Committee.

The EU – South Korea dialogue has broadened these last years, namely through “EU-Korea Summits” and regular ministerial meetings. Both parties cooperate closely in a number of multilateral fora, and have close relationship within the Asian Europe meeting (ASEM).

The 2nd EU-Korea Cooperation Forum on ICT Research was held in Brussels between the 1st and 2nd of December. This second Cooperation Forum is a follow-up event to the one successfully held in Seoul, South Korea in June 2008, and is organised under the aegis of the European Commission (Directorate General Information Society and Media), and of the Ministry of Knowledge Economy (MKE), Korea.

Engin Kirda from Institute Eurecom held a talk on the FORWARD and the WOMBAT EU projects and discussed possible collaboration opportunities with Korean partners. The slides from the talk are available from the publications section of the FORWARD website.