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Press invitation
Euro-Mediterranean conference on Research and Innovation
Brussels, 23 March 2012
| What? | Recent developments on both sides of the Mediterranean Sea have created a new context and momentum for establishing a closer partnership in research and innovation. In this context, a high-level conference is being held by the European Commission, the European Parliament, EU Member States and Southern Mediterranean countries. |
| When? | 2 and 3 April 2012 |
| Where? | World Trade Centre, Barcelona, Spain |
| Who? | Máire Geoghegan-Quinn, EU Commissioner for Research, Innovation and Science, Maria Damanaki, Commissioner for Fisheries and Maritime Affairs, Kent Johansson and Ines Ayala Sender,Members of the European Parliament; Lahcen Daoudi, Minister of Higher Education, Scientific Research and Training, Morocco, Stavros Malas, Minister of Health, Cyprus, Robert-Jan Smits, Director-General, Research and Innovation, European Commission, Fathallah Sijilmassi, Secretary-General of the Union for the Mediterranean, Christian Berger, Director for North Africa, Middle East, Arab Peninsula, Iran and Iraq, European External Action Service, Carmen Vela Olmo, State Secretary for Research and Innovation, Spain, Andreu Mas-Colell, Minister for Economy and Knowledge, Catalonia, Kim Brinckmann, Head of Division at Center for Globalisation, Danish Agency for Science, technology and Innovation. |
| To register | http://ec.europa.eu/research/conferences/2012/euro-mediterranean/index_en.cfm |
Background:
The European Union and the southern Mediterranean region face common challenges such as climate change, food security and the pollution of the Mediterranean Sea, which can only be addressed through cooperation at an international level. Investment in research and innovation can help us find answers to these challenges and is also a key driver for future jobs growth, essential at a time when many countries in both Europe and the Mediterranean region have high levels of youth unemployment. That is why creating an Innovation Union is a key element of Europe's growth strategy. Cooperation with international partners is an integral part of this strategy and associated programmes, including the proposed Horizon 2020 funding programme for research and innovation (http://ec.europa.eu/research/horizon2020/index_en.cfm). The conference will discuss the steps needed to establish a Common Knowledge and Innovation Space (CKIS), a goal set out in the EU's response to a changing neighbourhood policy presented in May 2011.
Contacts:
Philippe Froissard: +32 229 92 373
Maria Antonia Jimenez Nevado : +32 229 92 192
