Northern eDimension Action Plan AL 1: Internet and Internet Applications in Research and Development Jan Peter Strømsheim Chair AL 1, Norway

Jan P Stromsheim Chair NeDAP SOIS 2 (AL 1.2) Improved and upgraded interconnection … Status: In EARLIER meetings, SOIS has been given the understanding that AL 1.2 has been funded by TACIS (as stated in the minutes from the SOIS-meeting in Tallin, October 2004: Commission confirmed that negotiations with the Russian counterparts were underway, and 2 m was earmarked). However, such funding is still pending (no final decision). The situation as of today CSO-meeting in Brussels: The situation mentioned in the NeDAP-presentation with the EC present. The case is still pending.

Jan P Stromsheim Chair NeDAP SOIS 3 Possible actions Some kind of a (new) feasibility study –Based on the former one? Elaborate the possibility of TACIS and/or other funding mechanisms for infrastructure (capacity and equipment)

Jan P Stromsheim Chair NeDAP SOIS 4 (AL 1.1) Program for utilizing the high speed research networks The Nordunet 3 Steering Group (Ne3SG) has decided that 10% of the funding can be allocated for extending the Nordunet 3 to include other BSS-countries than the Nordic countries. The process to approach the Baltic countries/north-West Russia has started

Jan P Stromsheim Chair NeDAP SOIS 5 Funding issues For the former AL 1.2: We should still pursue the possibility of TACIS funding. For the former AL 1.1: We need to look into the FP6/7

Jan P Stromsheim Chair NeDAP SOIS 6 Plans for the future AL 1.2 Need to discuss the options with Russian authorities and the EU-office in Moscow AL 1.1: Follow up the decision in the N3SG