Note from Mr Quest, DG JRC in reply to the R&D Note _ A VISION FOR THE FUTURE OF THE ISPRA SITE

EUROPEAN COMMISSION            

JOINT RESEARCH CENTRE

The Director-General

                                                                               

Brussels, 24/07/2020

NOTE TO GIANFRANCO SELVAGIO, PRESIDENT, R&D ISPRA ROBERT KENNY, POLITICAL SECRETARY, R&D ISPRA

Subject: A vision for the future of the Ispra site
Reference: Ares(2020)3730594

Dear colleagues,

Thank you for your letter and for your positive approach to further develop the Ispra site. I

understand that similar issues have already been raised by you with the previous College, and
take good note of the fact that you are now reverting to this matter in the new context of the

Coronavirus outbreak.

I will not repeat the positions already expressed on this matter by former Commissioners
Oettinger and Navracsics and former Vice-President Georgieva. Suffice it to say that the JRC is
generally considered to have achieved major progress in recent years in positioning itself as
strategic partner of the Commission and its policymaking. It has also built up its site
management services to a high level of expertise and professionalism. Having said that, I also

take careful note of your suggestions.

We are currently very much focused on the preparation of the JRC Work Programme under the
next MFF and, as you know, the negotiation of the specific sectoral programmes (including
Horizon and Euratom), and the available budgets, have yet to be finalised. We are also still

very much focused on managing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

That said, I hope we will be able to find the time to meet and further exchange ideas when the
circumstances improve later on this year and I finally get the opportunity to travel to the Ispra

site.

Best regards,

                                                                                                 

                                                                                                     (e-signed)

                                                                                                     Stephen QUEST

Cc: B. Magenhann, D. Al Khudhairy, M. Stroosnijder

NOTE SENT BY R&D ISPRA TO MR. QUEST, DG JRC ON 13/07/2020 - A VISION FOR THE FUTURE OF THE ISPRA SITE