EU Research & Development Commissioner to visit South West at Euro-MP's invitation

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 5th Oct 2005

Commenting ahead of tomorrow's visit to the South West of Commissioner Janez Potocnik, Graham Watson MEP said,

"I am looking forward to welcoming Commissioner Potocnik to the South West, where he will be able to see cutting edge technology and internationally renowned research and development enterprises in their home environment. Janez Potocnik is one of high fliers of the new European Commission. His visit to the South West tomorrow and Friday will allow leading researchers in the region privileged access to the Commissioner".

Starting with a visit to Airbus UK in Filton and accompanied throughout by Graham Watson MEP, the Commissioner will have an opportunity to tour the Airbus site and meet with members of the Airbus team. He will then travel to Bath where he will speak on the future of the European Union to the Bath Royal Literary & Scientific Institution. He will also address the role of science and technology in the European Union and perceptions of the Constitutional treaty.

Following his talk, Commissioner Potocnik will attend a dinner organised by Graham Watson MEP and sponsored by Airbus UK, with leading South West figures in the field of Research and Development.

The visit will continue on Friday morning when Graham and Commissioner Potocnik will meet the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Bristol. They will then meet representatives of HERDA-SW (Higher Education Regional Development Association South West - a group of higher educational institutions committed to sustainable regional development) at the Hawthorns in Bristol. They will learn about the latest developments in research in the South West. Commissioner Potocnik will talk about how the EU can help fund research activity.