The European Union’s determination to help developing countries has not diminished in these times of economic crisis, that is according to EU Commissioner for Research, Innovation, and Science Máire Geoghegan-Quinn.
The Galway native made the comment following a recent meeting in Brussels with Bill Gates, co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and chairman of Microsoft Corporation. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss a number of topics related to the remit of the commissioner and of interest to both sides, including poverty-related diseases, rare diseases, the European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP ) and food security.
Speaking after the meeting Commissioner Geoghegan-Quinn said: "In times of economic crisis, the EU's determination to help developing countries is strengthened, not diminished. People's lives are at stake, and as the world's largest donor, the EU has an important role to play in improving public health and alleviating hunger and poverty.
“As Commissioner for Research and Innovation, I strongly support research projects leading to innovative solutions in tackling major global challenges such as health and food security. Mr Gates and I agreed that international cooperation is particularly important in these areas. Success stories exist and should inspire us. The EDCTP is one of them. Created in response to the global health crisis caused by the three main poverty-related diseases, AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, EDCTP has effectively paved the way to potential breakthrough treatment. On this occasion, I would like to thank again the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation for their partnership with EDCTP and their support for other critical global health research and development projects.
“Only through collective efforts can we effectively tackle the really big issues affecting the world's most vulnerable, and respond to current and emerging research needs and priorities. Partnerships across regions and public-private initiatives are the way forward. The European Commission and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation share many research goals and priorities and already work together well. I am looking forward to cooperating even more closely together in the coming years."
