Merkel: Europe must hold on to technology, talent and tolerance
Technology, talent and tolerance are the winning combination that will see Europe grow sustainably, German Chancellor Angela Merkel told Members of the European Parliament on 17 January. Ms Merkel, who currently holds the chair of the European Council, was quoting US scientists Richard Florida, who investigated the conditions under which regions of the world have developed most effectively. Only when technology, talent and tolerance come together is sustainable growth possible, he concluded. 'Technology, talent and tolerance - what good news for Europe, and what a good maxim for our action! Technology, talent and tolerance - Europe thrives on innovation. Europe thrives on scientific and technological, economic and social progress,' said Ms Merkel. 'Europe thrives on curiosity,' the Chancellor continued, pointing to the European invention of universities. But universities would not work without tolerance - 'The condition which curiosity needs to develop freely is tolerance,' said Ms Merkel. Ms Merkel appealed to Europeans to retain their curiosity in a spirit of tolerance, saying that it will enable us to shape the world around us in the 21st century. Germany has ambitious plans in the domains of research and innovation for its time in the Presidency chair. Priorities for the six-month term include increasing participation in the EU's research framework programmes, launching a charter in protecting intellectual property rights (IPR), and promoting young research talent.
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