By Ján Figel, European Commissioner for Education, Training, Culture and Youth

Being a citizen from Slovakia, a new Member State that joined the European Union on 1^st May 2004, he greatly contributed to the further development of these policy areas within the European Commission (EC) since 2004. We are honoured that mr. Figel’ awarded Neth-ER an interview looking back on the achievements and looking forward to the last part of this term. >>

Dear commissioner Potočnik, you note that the governments and institutions in the member states have reached considerable progress and positive results in the field of education through inter-ministerial collaboration in the frameworks of the Copenhagen and Bologna process. Moreover, they have a clear deadline to set-up the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) by 2010. What is necessary to reach similar developments and results in the field of research and innovation, and what should be the deadline? >>

Opening speech Neth-ER José Manuel Durão Barroso, President of the European Commission

I would like to thank the organisers of this symposium for their kind invitation, especially Minister Van Der Hoeven and Frans van Vught.
I'm encouraged to see that your priorities are very much in line with the European Commission's strategy, to equip Europe for a future of prosperity and social cohesion. >>