Press Releases

Innovatively driving the Lisbon Strategy forward

Informal meeting of Competition Ministers discussed possibilities for expanding innovation and technology transfer - the main topic was the formation of clusters

The promotion of innovation as one of the core goals of the Lisbon Strategy was the centrepiece of the informal meeting of the Ministers for Competition in Graz this Friday afternoon. In the press conference that followed, the President of the EU Competitiveness Council, Minister of Economics and Labour Martin Bartenstein, Vice-President of the Commission and Commissioner for Enterprise and Industry Günter Verheugen, and Commissioner  for Competition Neelie Kroes addressed the importance of the formation of clusters and technology transfer as a central element of the European response to the challenges of globalisation.

Verheugen expressed his gratitude that this theme was taken up by the Austrian Presidency and that Finland would make “Innovation” a focus of the upcoming Finnish Presidency. This will make 2006 a critical juncture in successfully meeting global competition with research and development.

Comprehensive information on this subject can be found on the Internet on the website of the Austrian Federal Ministry of Economics and Labour (www.bmwa.gv.at) and on the website of the Austrian Presidency of the EU (www.eu2006.at).