Minister Schavan launches German EUREKA Chairmanship year
Annette Schavan, minister at the BMBF (Federal Ministry for Education and Research) today officially launched the German EUREKA Chairmanship year at the ‘World-Class
Innovation through International Cooperation’ Conference in Dresden, attended by some 300 representatives of government, industry, academia and trade associations.
“In these times of economic crisis, now is the moment for researchers and innovators in Europe to exploit the international cooperation promoted by EUREKA and
strengthen cross-border ties,” she said. “Both the stability of the EU Seventh Framework Programme and the flexibility of EUREKA should be better utilised to
mobilise Europe’s innovative potential.”

Schavan announced that, in preparation for its Chairmanship, the BMBF had commissioned a survey of businesses and research institutes involved in EUREKA, as
well as the realisation of numerous interviews with experts belonging to the EUREKA community and others concerned with transnational R&D cooperation. The findings
were both anticipated but also reinforced the resolve of the German Chairmanship to reinforce EUREKA’s rightful place in the European Research Area through its intensive
and ambitious work programme this year.

Schavan was joined in Dresden by Germany’s former Minister for Foreign Affairs Hans- Dietrich Genscher, Anneli Pauli, Deputy Director-General at the European
Commission’s Research Directorate and Che-Min Rim, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Knowledge Economy, Republic of Korea.

The morning’s keynote speeches were followed by lively and well-attended workshops in the afternoon, on subjects as diverse as energy technologies, manufacturing, intellectual property and venture capital.

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