A fast subcritical reactor coupled to a particle accelerator is a concept of transmutation system that would allow large quantities of minor actinides to be burned efficiently. The research on transmutation encompassing accelerator-driven systems (ADS) is a part of the EURATOM research and development programme that lies within the area of partitioning and transmutation (P&T) of long-lived radionuclides in nuclear waste. P&T is one of the most notable research areas of the EURATOM Fifth (1998-2002) as well as the Sixth (2002-2006) Framework Programmes (FP). The objective of the research work in this area is to determine practical ways of reducing the amount and/or hazard of the waste to be disposed of. In FP5, there are 13 projects in this area with a total budget of about 69 M€ EU contribution is about 28 M€ In FP6, the research in this area, with a EU contribution of about 30 M€, strengthens the work that has been carried out in FP5 with a view to building a European Research Area (ERA) in this field. This has lead to integrating all EU activities on partitioning into one integrated project, and the same is planned for the transmutation activities. Moreover, a targeted project concerning the impact of P&T on waste management has also been initiated. International co-operation in the area of P&T with non-EU countries (such as Canada, USA and Japan), including the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) is also outlined.