Sir

The differences between standards of research, defence and industry in European Union (EU) member states and other central or eastern European countries are undeniable. These 'gaps' have led some people to argue that, if the latter countries join the EU, the lack of cohesion between them and the existing members could destroy the whole structure. Although this point of view could be challenged, we propose a practical solution: the systematic upgrading of research facilities in central and eastern European countries.

Before 1989, central and eastern European countries could not contribute properly to the development of advanced research equipment and devices going on in the West. Eleven years after the fall of the Berlin wall, the former communist countries have made only a little headway in commercial production and purchase of high-tech scientific equipment. Even in the countries that are making most rapid progress and have developed the skills to make non-serial high-tech equipment, the main obstacle to attaining excellence in experimental research remains either the insufficient performance of research facilities, or the lack of them altogether. This, together with low salaries, reduces the appeal of institutes in the region.

There are two main problems with upgrading. One is that only EU member states have access to the structural funds dedicated to 'cohesion building' . The other is that many experts and decision-makers do not consider that this type of assistance should cover quality of scientific research. They fear that money will go to unqualified people just because they are in a poor country, and the funding will still be unlikely to bring them up to a useful standard. Yet this presumed incompatibility between cohesion and excellence is more apparent than real: Margaret Sharp has pointed out (Research Policy 27, 569; 1998) that the concept of excellence puts emphasis on the EU as a whole, and cohesion is about helping poorer countries and regions to catch up. This is a pertinent analysis, identifying the two concepts as complementary. The next step, of course, is specific action to achieve cohesion.

One way of dealing with the issue is the recent action of the European Commission in identifying centres of excellence in the pre-accession countries. It seems quite likely that the majority of the 34 centres could receive long-term funding to establish them as European or regional attractors for research and training activities, and as poles of local economic development. Such funds should be used mostly for upgrading research facilities. The European Council and the European Commission now need to stimulate the growth and consolidation of the selected centres via the structural funds of the EU.

The upgrade of the most promising research facilities requires a coordination mechanism: for example, financing could be shared along the lines of one national or regional euro for every European one. If some centres of excellence could serve several neighbouring countries, consortia could be formed between countries or regions to share the cost.