The European framework program for research and innovation "Horizon 2020" was unveiled on January 10 at an event held at the National Center for Scientific Research Dimokritos in the presence of President of the Hellenic Republic Karolos Papoulias. All speakers pointed out the major symbolism of the presentation of the program in Greece, as it has assumed the EU presidency.

The €80 billion program - with funding increased by 30% compared to the previous initiative - includes new tools for supporting and financing small and medium businesses, facilitating mobility of researchers and encouraging the creation of future and emerging technologies.

European Commissioner for Maritime and Fisheries Maria Damanaki said that the program will be dedicated to better-targeted projects in areas with the most growth potential. One of those areas is Blue Growth. Greek Minister of Education and Religious Affairs, Konstantinos Arvanitopoulos, announced that a new bill on research, technological development and innovation, as well as linking research to production and entrepreneurship, will be tabled before parliament in the next few weeks. European Commissioner for Research, Innovation and Technology Maire Geoghegan Quinn said that research and innovation means development and employment and particularly referred to the fact that Greece is ninth among EU member-states in the absorption of NSRF funds.