Position paper on Research and Innovation

Pre-eminently, the development of a European knowledge area is crucial in our wish to sustain, and further develop, the welfare and prosperity of European citizens. The development of new economic powers (BRICcountries and others) in the face of diminishing natural resources, drives Europe towards its most powerful resources, which are knowledge, and the power to innovate. As the systems of production and processing of goods are moving towards other parts of the world, Europe is seeking for a new and intensified role as a technical innovator at various levels of input, performance and outcome.