Vice-President of the European Parliament Oldrich Vlasak has highlighted the crucial role that media can play in promoting a European economy that prioritises research and innovation, during his closing speech at a major conference on the subject addressed by Angela Merkel and Commission President Barroso.

Vice-President of the European Parliament Oldrich Vlasak has highlighted the crucial role that media can play in promoting a European economy that prioritises research and innovation, during his closing speech at a major conference on the subject addressed by Angela Merkel and Commission President Barroso.

The European Conservatives and Reformists group member said that the media has the power to awaken public interest in science and increase social recognition of a science career. He also highlighted the role media can play in raising awareness of funding available for advancing innovation and research.

Vice-President Vlasak also talked about the important role the EU is playing under the ‘Horizon 2020’ funding programme which the European Parliament has aimed to make simpler and more transparent so that smaller research centres can access them.

In his speech to the European Intersectoral on Research and Innovation in Dublin, Mr Vlasak said:

“We cannot afford to waste any research talents or private capital invested in innovations and media could help us to fully and broadly realise this fact.

“The media has the unique power to awaken public interest in science and to increase social recognition of a scientific career.

“Despite being a conservative politician who does not approve excessive spending and spending which does not generate economic growth, I would like to make absolutely clear that investment in research and innovation does not fall in any of these categories. Europe’s future economic growth and jobs will increasingly need to originate from innovation activity.”