Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis met European Commissioner for Science and Research Janez Potočnik in Athens on Thursday afternoon. Potočnik was accompanied by Greek Development Minister Dimitris Sioufas and the president the National Council for Research and Technology Prof. Dimitris Nanopoulos.

After the meeting, Sioufas said they had examined all issues linked to the effort to create a European area for science, research and innovation and aspects of the 7th Research Framework Programme (FP7) that will be officially presented by the Commissioner in Greece on Friday.

The minister stressed that Potočnik's efforts are supported by the prime minister and the Greek government and that Greece is seeking to strengthen its position in science, research and innovation so as to boost its competitiveness and create more wealth, social prosperity and assist the country's overall development.

The Commissioner, on his part, stressed that Greece still has a long way to go in the area of research, development and technology.

He added, however, that the government's commitment and full support for this goal was apparent and that a programme of reforms might be undertaken and successfully carried out that would lead Greece to the position that is foreseen and demanded, so that it acquires some ability in these areas.

According to Potočnik, the 7th Research Framework Programme that will be officially unveiled in Greece on Friday has a budget of 55 billion euros, which will be invested in research and made available at the "base of competitiveness".
He stressed that collaboration by Greek scientists and researchers in applying for these funds would greatly benefit the country.

Source: Athens News Agency

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