The aim of the meeting was for Mr. Smits to learn not only about the views of European businesses on the general economic climate in Russia but also to hear about the prospects of developing research & innovation focused cooperation, utilising Europe's and Russia's intellectual and scientific capital and technological complementaries. Companies also discussed with Mr. Smits the general framework conditions for carrying R&D activities in and with Russia.

Photo (from left to right): 

Gediminas Ramanauskas, Policy Officer, European Commission

Iskra Reic, Vice-President, Astra Zeneca

Philippe Pegorier, Member of the AEB Board, President, Alstom Russia

Robert-Jan SMITS, Director-General, DG Research & Innovation, European Commission

Frank Schauff, CEO, AEB

Vygaudas UŠACKAS, EU Ambassador to the Russian Federation, Head of EU Delegation to Russia

Rene Pischel, Head, European Space Agency

Richard Burger, Head of S&T and Other EU Policies Section, EU Delegation to Russia