Europe and research: a multi-speed scenario

A review of the European situation concerning physics research facilities, collaborations, networks and funding policies will be sketched, pointing out the diversity among different countries of the enlarged EU. Some special focus will be put on particle physics. The continuing integration of Europe, the higher students' mobility trained in the ``Bologna Process'' frame, the expansion of the European research infrastructures in physics, the increasing funding from the European Commission, the various research shaping and roadmap attempts, the challenge by Asia in addition to that from the USA, are all issues to be examined.