Technological project ELI-NP laser, Extreme Light Infrastructure – Nuclear Physics, from Magurele is the first step to fight the brain drain, said European Commissioner for Regional Policy, Johannes Hahn, in a statement supported at Victoria Palace with the Romanian Prime Minister Victor Ponta.
“This project will be the first step to fight the brain drain. Many reasons a project is emblematic not only for Romania but for Europe. Same thing goes for the famous bridge, now called ‘New Europe’ will not bind only two regions, although very important aspect, but it will definitely contribute to the improvement of trans-European transport network,” said Hahn.
Prime Minister Victor Ponta said that this is a historic project and he wishes to see an exceptionally developing area, a true “Laser Valley,” here, during the coming years. Romania’s Prime Minister expressed his confidence that many foreign researchers are to come to Magurele and work on this “absolutely special” project, together with the Romanians.” I believe young researchers will be needed to work on the project during the coming ten-twenty years from now on, and they will be well paid and motivated to come and work here,’ Romanian Government’s head said.
In his opinion the ELI-NP project represents one of the flagship projects in Europe and worldwide. “There are many things to be done for the project to be completed and developed. Things that we did not think possible, can happen in Romania. Yes, we can have the biggest EU-funded research project and it is the largest, I mean it deals with 260 million euros. Yes, Romania might be, the country facing so many problems when it comes to the EU funds absorption. We can do research in Romania, we can have here one of the flagship projects of Europe and the world“, Ponta said.
Commissioner said that it is not only in Romania to discuss the challenges and problems, but also to attend two great events, noting in this regard inauguration technological project ELI-NP laser and Calafat-Vidin.
“I’m glad to hear that will be called New Europe, hhich is a sign of close cooperation between Romania, Bulgaria and Europe. Regarding ELI-NP project, it has great importance not only for Romania, but also for whole Europe. technology There will be useful to world researchers, said Johannes Hahn.
He said that the project Magurele the first of this scale for this type of infrastructure to be developed in the new EU member states and pointed out that the EU structural funds contribute about 260 million.
Johannes Hahn noted that it is the first time the structural funds will finance infrastructure in the scientific field, recalling in this context that the former minister for science and technology.
The laser from Magurele will lead to the discovery of a new science
The ELI-NP (“Extreme Light Infrastructure – Nuclear Physics”) is one hub of a pan-European research project which also has facilities in the Czech Republic and Hungary. It is part of a research consortium that brings together 40 partners from 13 Member States.
ELI-NP is located next to the Horia Hulubei National Institute of Physics and Nuclear Engineering – in Magurele, south of Bucharest. By 2018, ELI-NP should employ 262 researchers (including 36 support staff). The total cost of the project comes to more than €356 million (EU regional and national funds combined). The facility is scheduled to become operational by 2015.
ELI website: http://www.extreme-light-infrastructure.eu/
