Tiedote 26.5.2010
Medvedev: The Innovation Forum strengthens strategic collaboration relationships between Russia and the EU
The main theme of the second day of the EU-Russia Innovation Forum in Lappeenranta was EU-Russian collaboration in innovation and modernisation. The discussion was opened with greetings to the Forum from the President of Russia Dmitry Medvedev.
”It is significant that the Forum is organised in Finland, which is one of the world's leading innovation countries and our long-standing partner in cooperation. The Innovation Forum is an important step that strengthens the strategic collaboration relationship between Russia and the EU, and creates a good foundation for discussing the key aspects of innovation collaboration. Moreover, the Forum provides opportunities for its participants to create direct contacts with businesses and take part in scientific and technology-related joint projects. The Forum also promotes international collaboration in the fields of science and technology,” said Medvedev.
In addition, the Russian president expressed a wish that the initiatives of the Forum would serve as guidelines for the EU-Russia Innovation Corridor and as a foundation for the special innovation and technology programme of the Russian Federation for the years 2013-2020.
Katja Reppel, Deputy Head of Unit for innovation policy development in the European Commission, discussed the connection of EU-Russian innovation collaboration with the Europe 2020 growth strategy. She emphasised the more efficient use of existing tools. ”I believe that collaboration can be deepened because we have shared interests,” Reppel stated. As an example, she brought up energy and health care issues.
Director-general Petri Peltonen from the Innovation Department of the Finnish Ministry of Employment and the Economy highlighted the fact that innovations are a tool, not a goal.
"Innovations have no boundaries - people, money and innovations move freely around the world. Although national innovations are important, they have no importance if they are not disseminated internationally. St. Petersburg is an important innovation partner for Finland because Finland is rather far away from the global innovation hubs,” said Peltonen.
Peltonen also related that the EU has funded roughly two hundred projects in which Russia has been involved. In fact, Russia has been the most successful non-EU partner in the EU’s research and development programmes.
"We have good platforms for collaboration, but there is still room for growth. Existing, shared tools should be used more extensively, and new ones should be created.”
Deputy Director Vasily Popik from the Presidential Experts’ Directorate of the Presidential Executive Office of the Russian Federation discussed how the Russian government sees innovation collaboration with the EU.
”The EU, Finland and Russia have great potential for collaboration. Being neighbours is not merely a geographic concept, but it also presents great potential for collaboration especially between Russia and the Northern Dimension.”
According to Popik, Russia has been able to secure its macroeconomy despite the global financial crisis. ”For example, we have created special economic zones and technology parks. Russia has invested in concrete projects.”
Philippe Vanrie, CEO of the European Business & Innovation Centre Network, underlined that innovation should not be developed excessively with public aid systems. Instead, room should be left for private sector initiatives.
Further information:
Tom Hultin, President and CEO of Lappeenranta City Holding Company Ltd and Chairman of the Organising Committee for the EU-Russia Innovation Forum, tel. 040 556 0961