"Talent and knowledge are natural resources and raw materials that are available anywhere in Europe. With the help of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology, we will be able to use them as effectively as possible to the benefit of all the citizens of the Union". Ferenc Gyurcsany, Prime Minister of Hungary, spoke today at the opening of EIT, marked by the first meeting of its Steering committee. The "baptism" of the institute, which is based in Budapest, was attended by José Manuel Barroso, president of the EU Commission, and by Ján Figel’, Commissioner for culture and education. The purpose of the EIT is to "promote excellent standards in innovation, by providing new solutions for such big challenges as climate change, renewable energy or the next-generation information technology". The institute has recently been equipped with a Steering committee "which is fully independent, is responsible for outlining the strategic policies" of the EIT and "selecting and assessing the operations of the so-called knowledge and innovation communities". The 18 members of the Committee "come from the business, academic and research world, and have all proven to have great experience in the area of high-level innovation". (continued)
