Nicholson welcomes European Research and Innovation Commissioner to Northern Ireland
UUP MEP Jim Nicholson has welcomed this week’s visit by European Commissioner for Research, Innovation and Science Máire Geoghegan-Quinn’s visit to Northern Ireland.
Mr Nicholson said: “I am delighted that Commissioner Geoghegan-Quinn has taken the time to visit Northern Ireland to outline her proposals for the Horizon 2020 strategy. The Horizon 2020 Strategy, to be launched in 2014, will be the largest publicly funded research fund in the world. Its scope is broad, encompassing a range of different policy areas; from agriculture and fisheries to energy and information communications and technologies.
“Given the global nature of markets and increasing pace of change, Europe as a whole and Northern Ireland in particular must recognise the importance of research and innovation as a key way of improving our global competitiveness, creating jobs for the future and broadening our economy.
“The Commissioner’s visit to AFBI’s Hillsborough site has showcased the important work being carried out by several projects plus highlights the opportunities that exist for the future. I am encouraged that there is an increasing awareness among the likes of AFBI and AgriSearch of the need to engage proactively at a European level to develop research programmes that work to improve competitiveness in agriculture and fisheries.
“With the European Commission now pledging €80 billion for 2014-2020 there are fantastic opportunities for the future and it is important that we work to improve our drawdown of funds.”
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Weather for Belfast
Wednesday 22 May 2013
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 5 C to 12 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: North west
Tomorrow
Light showers
Temperature: 5 C to 8 C
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