The European Union's research and development program aims to further Europe's industrial competitiveness in the world, and they want Israel to be a part of the action, Israel has been considered a European country for this purpose since 1996. Robert-Jan Smits, the European Commission's general director, DG Research and Innovation, presented the outline of the new program to Israeli entrepreneurs during a conference held last week at Jerusalem's Science Museum. The Israeli government now must decide whether it wishes to take part in the program. Participation in the new program will cost some NIS 700 million (about $182 million) a year.