Geoghegan-Quinn visits Athens for H2020 launch

European Commissioner for Research, Innovation and Science, Máire Geoghegan-Quinn, has visited Athens as part of the national launch event for Horizon 2020.

In her opening speech, the Commissioner said: “Today is a day of beginnings, of new starts. We are at the beginning of the Greek Presidency of the Council, which comes at a very important moment for Europe with the European Parliament elections this coming May. We are right at the beginning of Horizon 2020, the new, seven year programme that offers many opportunities for researchers and innovators in Greece and across Europe.”

The head of European Commission representation in Greece, Panos Karvounis, highlighted the country’s  history of research investigations. He said: “Greece has long been a great scientific and research potential. In this dynamic, the EU has once again the financial means to contribute to the future of research and innovation in Europe and to contribute in this way, the growth, jobs and better quality of life.”

Earlier in the day, Geoghegan-Quinn met privately with Constantine Arvanitopoulos, the Greek Minister of Education. Maria Damanaki, European Commissioner for Fisheries and Maritime Affairs, and President of the Republic Karolos Papoulias were also present at the event organised by General Secretariat for Research and Technology.