INDUSTRY AND INNOVATION IN EUROPE

The current social and economic situation in Flanders has shown that European decisions definitely do have a national and regional impact. Flemish policymakers, too, are compelled to pay heed to Europe, as the latter s decisions are becoming increasingly reflected in domestic policymaking and vice-versa. Against the background of the Pact 2020 and Flanders in Action, the Europe 2020 strategy and its industrial dimension have been translated into a regional long-term strategy and put into practice, even before the European programme was given the EU s rubber stamp. As an innovative and open economy, part of Europe s logistical hub, Flanders can lead the way in boosting Europe s innovative, integrated industrial policy, while raising the region s profile in the European and international forum. Industry and Innovation in Europe offers an extensive and insightful analysis of how the Flemish and European industrial policies add to each other and back each other up. Apart from policy statements from the European Commissioner for Industry and Entrepreneurship, Antonio Tajani, and the Flemish Minister-President, Kris Peeters, and a report on round table talks involving a few Flemish captains of industry, Industry and Innovation in Europe also features the positions, initiatives and projects being promoted in this area by key Flemish stakeholders/Vleva members, such as representatives of employers, the farm sector, education and research institutes, the provinces, cities and municipalities. Industry and Innovation in Europe is the second in a series of Vleva journals. The Liaison Agency Flanders-Europe (Vleva) is keen for the journals to raise the profile of key European themes and spread the word more about the related positions of Flemish civil society and the authorities.