Global innovation at Vilnius Innovation Forum

Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaitė has opened the Vilnius Innovation Forum 2013 (Innovation Drift), part of the official programme of the Lithuanian Presidency of the European Council.

This year the forum hosts around 600 guests from all over the world. Taking part in the forum are well known innovation experts, business leaders, policy makers, and members of the academic community.

Grybauskaitė said: “We will launch the first Lithuanian satellites soon, lasers and pharmaceuticals manufactured in our country are well known in the world. In Europe Lithuania is mentioned among the member states who have made most substantial progress in the use of innovation, but we have not reached the EU average yet. Therefore, we need to strengthen the innovation culture and research-business co-operation. Our country strives to build an economy based on high technology and innovations and today we can be proud of having quite a few champions in the ICT area.”

She added that the whole of Europe, not only Lithuania, should push ahead with innovation in order to remain competitive. Innovative decisions will give Europe effective solutions for business and employment growth, sustainable development and social inclusion. The president underlined that all citizens are responsible for the future of Europe. She wished to continue to explore new opportunities and prospects for building a better life for all Europeans.