In her meeting of 23 April 2010, the Flemish government agreed upon the final approval of the bill accepting the Agreement establishing the European Molecular Biology Conference (EMBC), drawn up in Geneva on 13 February 1969 and the bill accepting the Agreement establishing the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), drawn up in Geneva on 10 May 1973.
For many years, Belgium is involved in the EMBC and the EMBL as an observer, advisor or financier. It is essential though that Flanders and Belgium become a full member through formal entry into both organizations. This membership will broaden the multidisciplinary experience of our research, and for Flemish researchers it will offer the opportunity to strengthen the European research area.
On 12 August 2009 the VRWB published a joint advisory report (report 132) with the Flemish Foreign Affair Council, strongly endorsing both bills, and they furthermore urging the Flemish government to finish this as soon as possible. Both councils point to the expected economical and scientific return of both organizations, their ties with the Flemish competences, the ViA-project of the Flemish government, the Flemish policy priorities and the importance of European collaboration on science and technology.