European research joined up.

The European Commission has proposed a legal framework that will make it easier and quicker for member states to jointly set up European research infrastructures, such as observatories, databanks or supercomputers. The framework, which is expected to be adopted in December, will be recognised in all member states and could provide some of the advantages of international organisations, such as VAT exemptions, European Science and Research Commissioner Janez Potocnik said: 'The sheer size of such projects, generally hundreds of millions of Euros for construction and several tens of millions of Euros for operation, requires a joint effort by several European countries.'