BRUSSELS
EUREKA, a European cooperation platform supporting research and development projects, unveiled winners of this year's 'innovation awards' in Brussels.
From Turkey, the sitting EUREKA chair, Parliament Speaker Cemil Cicek, Science, Industry & Technology Minister Nihat Ergun and President of the Scientific and Technological Research Council (TUBITAK) Yucel Altunbasak attended an award ceremony at the Chateau Sainte-Anne, presenting the top three prizes to the winners.
In his opening remarks of the ceremony, Cicek said innovative projects made life easier, adding that economic development was hinged on R&D.
"The future of Europe rests on its production of advanced technologies," he said.
Thirty-five eligible projects were submitted and the first prize was given to "Euroenviron Omim," a waste management project developed by Malaga-based Andalusian Hygiene Treatments.
"AlienVault ESC," a project from a Madrid-based informatics firm AlienVault came second, and "100GET," a multinational project aimed at boosting Internet speed, placed the third.
What is EUREKA?
EUREKA, founded in 1985, now unites 42 member countries. Together, they promote international, market-oriented research and innovation through the support they offer to small and medium-sized enterprises, large industry, universities and research institutes. Through EUREKA, these organizations are introducing new products, processes and services to market.
Turkey is the term president of EUREKA between July 2012 and June 2013. The R&D agenda of EUREKA is determined under the presidency of Turkey during this term.
