On February 13, 2013, The European Institute hosted a discussion with Robert-Jan Smits, Director General of DG Research and Innovation at the European Commission, on the EU’s new strategic approach to international research and innovation cooperation. With U.S. President Barack Obama’s announcement of the launch of talks for a comprehensive Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, Mr. Smits said that both sides of the Atlantic were “rediscovering each other”, and that the common understanding of the potency of innovation as a prime motor for sustainable economic growth, job creation and global competitiveness augured well for increased European-American cooperation. Anna McDermott-Vitak, Executive Director of Global Government Affairs at Amgen, Inc, offered opening remarks, and Dr. Elias Carayannis, Professor of Science, Technology, Innovation and Entrepreneurship at George Washington University, moderated the lively exchange.
Mr. Smits' remarks are available here.
