(ANSA) - MILAN - A new European Consortium for Research Infrastructures, Ceric-Eric, based in Trieste, has just kicked off at the ''Elettra'' Synchrotron Research Centre: it combines nine research infrastructures based in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe and the Italy plays the role of coordinator.

The official opening took place on the sidelines of an informal meeting of European ministers, attended by Italy's Minister for Education University and Research Stefania Giannini and by European Commissioner for Research, Innovation and Science, Maire Geoghegan-Quinn.

''The integration among partner laboratories will have a significant impact on a broad area of activity and on social, cultural and industrial challenges - Giannini said - such as the preservation of cultural heritage, health, food, energy and manufacturing industries''.

''It's like the Formula 1 in the research sector - said Carlo Rizzuto, President of the Trieste synchrotron - which will have, however, important results in the short term, at the scientific and industrial level''. The basis of the agreement reached among the nine countries is represented by ''exchange of values, people and know-how - minister Giannini concluded -, an important principle that should be increasingly followed throughout Europe.'' (ANSA).