Press Release: European Science & Research Commissioner makes first official visit to Israel – 17 & 18 January 2007

European Science & Research Commissioner Janez Potocnik will make his first official visit to Israel on 17-18 January 2007. Israel has been a fully associated member of the EU's research funding programmes since 1996 and both the EU and Israel have benefited from this partnership. During his visit, Commissioner Potocnik will meet members of the Israeli government and will attend a conference on Israel's participation in the EU's research programme FP7 at Bar Ilan University. He will also meet with representatives of the Israel academic and business communities. His discussions with Israel will focus on ongoing negotiations to finalise Israel's association to FP7, and highlighting the importance of research as an element of the overall EU-Israel relationship.