Eurocommissaris voor Onderzoeks- en innovatiebeleid bezoekt Kroatië en Servië (en)
Janez Potocnik i , European Commissioner for Science and Research, will today start a two day visit to Croatia and Serbia. The European Commission is co-organising with the two countries a workshop commemorating the 150th anniversary of the birth of Nikola Tesla, inventor, physicist and engineer, whose work formed the basis of modern electric power systems. Commissioner Poto?nik will participate in the workshop in both venues and will encourage participation in the framework programme and call for increased emphasis on innovation. While in the region, Commissioner Poto?nik will meet with the Prime Ministers and science ministers of both countries to encourage the governments there to use the possibilities for co-operation with European researchers to strengthen their own science base, thereby aiding their economic and social development.
The "Tesla's Heirs" workshop is being organised jointly by the European Commission and the research ministries of Serbia and Croatia. It will provide a forum for researchers from across Europe, particularly those benefiting from European research grants and working in the area of engineering, physics, mathematics and information sciences. They will exchange scientific knowledge and experience of working in another country. There will be sessions related to key transferable skills such as promoting technology transfer and IPR management. It will provide a unique opportunity to build scientific networks with researchers working in similar domains in the Western Balkans and across the EU.
On Monday 9 October Commissioner Potocnik will be in Zagreb, Croatia. He will participate with the Croatian minister of Science, Education and Sports, Dragan Primorac, in a conference on "FP7: Unlocking research potential in Central and Eastern Europe", which will discuss the role of non-EU countries in the EU's next Research Framework Programme. He will meet the Croatian Prime Minister Ivo Sanader to discuss progress in Croatia's accession talks in the area of science. He will also take part in the Zagreb session of the "Tesla Heirs" workshop.
On Tuesday 10 October, the Commissioner will be in Belgrade, Serbia. He will make a keynote speech, alongside the Serbian Minister of Science and Environmental Protection, Aleksandar Popovi?, at a regional conference on research and innovation. At his meeting with Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica, Commissioner Poto?nik will recognise the good co-operation that exists between Serbian and EU scientists, and encourage greater attention to developing the innovative potential of Serbian science and industry. In Belgrade as well, he will participate in the "Tesla's Heirs" workshop.
For more information on the "Tesla's Heirs" Workshop: http://www.hatz.hr/MarieCurie2006/ or