Press Release: European Council pushes forward the European Investment Fund into the Lisbon strategy

The European Council held in Brussels on 22 and 23 March 2005, urged the European Investment Fund to diversify its activities, in particular towards the financing of innovative SMEs through individual-investor (business-angel) and technology-transfer networks. Flexible funding suited to such activities should be found, together with the Commission. This action should also be supported by the new Community competitiveness and innovation programme.