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PM Dacian Ciolos welcomed Carlos Moedas, the European Commissioner for Research, Science and Innovation, at the Victoria Palace
Prime Minister Dacian Ciolos welcomed on Tuesday afternoon European Commissioner for Research, Science and Innovation Carlos Moedas, currently on an official visit to Romania, a release sent by the Government reads.
The visit of the European official aimed in general at "strengthening and making efficient the bilateral dialogue on boosting Romania's participation in the European Research Area, as well as at talking about the stage of some large pan-European research infrastructure projects Romania is involved in, such as the ELI (Extreme Light Infrastructure) and the Danubius - RI," says the source.
"The meeting started with the festive moment of launching the 'Beyond the knowledge borders Laser Valley - Land of lights' issue of postage stamps that is promoting symbolically the integrated development programme of the Magurele area. The programme, initiated by Romania's Government to exploit the potential benefits the ELI-NP (Extreme Light Infrastructure - Nuclear Physics) project will generate, is the Romanian pillar of the ELI pan-European project, a world-level first major research investment and first international infrastructure in lasers," the Government announces.
The release shows that it is about 'a European pioneering invention that uses structural funds for regional developments.'
Dacian Ciolos stressed during talks the commitment by Romania to continue to enforce the European research, development and innovation programmes. The two officials have also tackled the evolutions of the research - innovation sector of Romania and emphasized the main measures the Executive has enforced to backing activity in this field.
After official talks, Commissioner Moedas made a tour of the ELI-NP facility at Magurele, saying that the project is one of the best examples of open science. "ELI-NP is open to the world; it is open science, open innovation when the science of things that matter to the people is applied; I believe this is a unique example and I would like to become an ambassador for this project," said Moedas on a tour of the ELI-NP facility at Magurele on Tuesday.
He added that the ELI-NP is one of Europe's most important projects. "It will really be a torchbearer, the first to include three different countries, distinct funding procedures and to most it will be the best in the world, drawing people from around the world," said Moedas.
He said the project is a terrific opportunity for Romania to showcase the wonderful things it does in sciences and the fine scientists it has. There should be more talk of the project in Europe and elsewhere in the world, he said, and more people should be drawn to Magurele (southern Bucharest — editor's note) for experiments and to show the importance of making the invisible world visible.
Moedas mentioned that very little is known about dark matter, which makes up the largest share of the universe, and this project will be a way of making the dark matter more visible.
In his turn, ELI-NP Project Director Nicolae Zamfir said the value of the investment, co-funded by the European Commission under the European Regional Development Fund is 310 million euros.
"The project is designed for the construction of a new European scientific research institute. Works on it started in 2013 and we have planned on making it operational in 2019; we are half-way to implementation. Two weeks ago we took over the building from the constructor; we have started installing the large pieces of equipment as well as the experiments, which are not negligible, as they in fact make up the scientific part of the project. As far as the team is concerned, we have hired 100-120 of 200-250 scientists we would like to employ in 2019; about one third of them are from abroad, from 20 countries," Zamfir explained.
Part of his visit, Moedas presented the awards to the winners of the 'Laser in Magurele Valley competition.'
"The competition was organised by the Bucharest University of Architecture, the Bucharest Faculty of Construction, the Romanian Education Ministry and the Research Authority. It is a competition of city-planning ideas," said Adrian Curaj, the high representative of Romania's prime minister for the development of science-based ecosystems, innovation and entrepreneurship related to the ELI-NP pan-European infrastructure.