NAGREF promotes research and technological activities in both the primary and secondary agricultural production sectors, aiming at an integrated approach to deal with rural problems within the framework of national agricultural policy and the agricultural policy of the European Union.

 

The role of NAGREF in the improvement and creation of new plant varieties and animal breeds and in the production of healthy propagative material should be emphasised.

 

NAGREF's research activities are carried out through its National Institutes.

 

 

COLLABORATIONS - PARTICIPATION IN PROGRAMMES

FRAMEWORK PROGRAMMES OF THE EUROPEAN UNION

NAGREF has taken part in all the EU framework programmes, of which the most recent are:

·         The 3^rd Programme Framework, with 24 research programmes and a total budget of 2.002.055 €

·         The 4^th Programme Framework, with 47 research programmes and a total budget of 2.846.036 €

·         The 5^th Programme Framework, with 35 research programmes and a total budget of 4.562.371€

 

In the 6^th Programme Framework, NAGREF proposes participation as coordinator or partner in  57 Networks of Excellence and 39 complete programmes.

 

 

OTHER EU PROGRAMMES

NAGREF has also submitted proposals for programmes that are announced directly by the different directorates of the EU and for programmes that are announced through national bodies (mainly the Ministry of Agriculture and Ministry for the Environment, Physical Planning and Public Works).

 

Substantial participation has begun to take place within the framework of EUROPEAID  with the programmes MEDA, ISPA, CARDS, SAPARD, PHARE etc that concern third countries and have as their aim the support and assistance of development in these countries.

  

 

LIFE - PROJECT: Strategies to improve and protect soil quality from the disposal of olive mills' wastes in the Mediterranean - PROSODOL" (LIFE 07 ENV/GR/000280)

  

 

BILATERAL COLLABORATIONS WITH RESEARCH FOUNDATIONS

Within the framework of its financial possibilities, NAGREF announces bilateral programmes in collaboration with foreign research foundations. Bilateral programmes have been realised with the following research foundations:

·          British Council

·          INRA

·          Agricultural Research Foundation of Cyprus

·         Department of Agricultural Research and Technology of the state committees of   Research and Technology of China

·         Agricultural Academy of Bulgaria

 

From 1997 until the present time, a total of 45 research programmes have been completed or are currently in progress.

 

  

BILATERAL COLLABORATIONS THROUGH THE GENERAL SECRETARIAT FOR RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY (GSRT)

Within the framework of announcements by GSRT, NAGREF, from 1996 to the present time, has submitted proposals and has carried out a total of 54 research programmes with the following countries:

·         Albania

·         France

·         China

·         Cyprus

·         Germany

·         Great Britain

·         Spain

·         Italy

·         Yugoslavia

·         Hungary

·         Czech Republic

·         Slovakia

·         Romania

·         Bulgaria

·         Ukraine

 

PROGRAMMES PHARE: Institution  Building.

During the year 2001-2002, NAGREF, as the authorised body of the Ministry of Agriculture for this specific programme, submitted 19 proposals, some in collaboration with other countries. 

The following have been approved:

·         Project title: "Development of implementation capacity concerning phytosanitary protection acquis"

Country: Hungary

PL: Dr D. Chachalis

PAA: Dr Ch. Rizou

Budget: 600.000 euro

NAGREF is the coordinator in collaboration with Holland and the United Kingdom.

·         Project title: "Improving veterinary control"

Country: Bulgaria

PL: V. Konstantinidis

PAA: Dr A. Tyrpenou

Budget: 750.000 euro

N.AG.RE.F. has exclusive responsibility for the programme.

·         Project title: "Strengthening Food Safety Policy"

Country: Czech Republic

PL: Dr Vl. Christodoulou

PAA: L. Koukoulas

Budget: 1.000.000 euro

NAGREF has exclusive responsibility for the programme.

·         Project title: "Agriculture Early Retirement Scheme"

Country: Poland

Budget: 1.850.000 euro

NAGREF is junior partner with France as leader.

·         Project title: "Institution Building of the Dept. of Fisheries and Aquaculture"

Country: Malta

Budget: 77.000 euro

Twinning Light coordinated by  Fisheries Research Institute of NAGREF

·         Project title: "Implementation of the acquis in the phytosanitary sector"

Country: Slovenia

Budget: 480.000 euro

In cooperation with Holland

 

COMPETITIVE PROGRAMME "DIMITRA"

In the framework of the objects and priorities of NAGREF, the Administration announced the competitive Programme "DIMITRA" in the area of Agricultural Research and Technology.

The scopes of the programme were:

·         To develop the domestic know-how in thematic areas of first priorities

·         To solve the imperative problems in the process of agricultural production

·         To exploit the scientific staff of NAGREF

·         To build up the cooperation schemes of various expertise

·         To apply research results to agricultural production

 

NATO & OECD

Within the framework of its activities, NAGREF also collaborates with NATO and OECD and submits proposals for research programmes or for the organisation of scientific meetings and conferences. In addition, through NATO's scholarship programme, it receives researchers from third countries in its research establishments for the execution of research programmes of mutual interest, while NAGREF researchers receive training in foreign countries through OECD scholarships.

 

PARTICIPATION IN EUROPEAN COMMITTEES AND INITIATIVES

PARTICIPATION IN THE COMMITTEE OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH (SCAR)

NAGREF represents Greece as a member in the European initiative SCAR. 

 

PARTICIPATION IN THE EUROPEAN AGRICULTURAL INITIATIVE  (EURAGRI)

NAGREF, as the national organisation for agricultural research and technology of the country, represents Greece as a member in the European Agricultural Research Initiative (EURAGRI).

 

ORGANISATION OF INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES' MEETINGS

·         Mediterranean Conference for Agricultural Research Cooperation "The Mediterranean Model and Cooperation to Promote the International Trade of Mediterranean Agricultural Products"

The Conference on Cooperation in Mediterranean Agricultural Research, organised by NAGREF in cooperation with INRA, was held in Athens on 1-2 December 2000. The aim of this conference was the advancement of cooperation in agriculture between Mediterranean countries, harmonised with the relevant European Union policy and the national policies of Greece and France. The conference took place under the auspices of the EU Directorate General for Research and the Ministry of Agriculture.

 

·       Balkan Conference on Agricultural Research

 

Taking advantage of the opportunity provided by the international trade fair "AGROTIKA 2002" in Thessaloniki, NAGREF organised the Balkan Conference on Agricultural Research in this city on 1-2 April 2000. This event was organised as a follow up to a meeting of the Ministers of Agriculture of the Balkan countries at the invitation of the then Greek Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Georgios Anomeritis, and in recognition of the great importance placed on the promotion of collaboration between Balkan countries in the field of agricultural research, harmonised with our national policy.

 

·         2^nd Mediterranean Conference for Agricultural Research Cooperation "Strategies for the Quality and the Promotion of Mediterranean Agricultural Products"

 

Within the same framework, preparation has begun of the second Mediterranean Conference, in cooperation with INRA, CIHEAM, the Egyption Ministry of Agriculture and the EU, which will cover 50% of the costs. The conference will take place in Cairo on 19-20 January, 2003.

 

·       EURAGRI conference "Future trends in agri-nutritional research in Europe"

 

During the Greek presidency of the EU, N.AG.RE.F. has undertaken to organise the yearly EUROAGRI conference, which will take place during the first fortnight of May, 2003. This is an important event that will promote our country and is likely to ensure the adoption of policies favourable to it at EU level.

 

 

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