Brussels, 04/09/2012 (Agence Europe) - The steering group for the European Innovation Partnership (EIP) on water met for the first time on Tuesday 4 September, in Brussels, to discuss the organisation and funding of the EIP and to develop priorities. Chaired by Janez Potocnik, Environment Commissioner, and composed of ministers and high-level representatives from business, the research community, financial institutions and various parts of civil society, the steering group appointed a task force that will set out the details of priorities in a strategic implementation plan. The steering group is due to adopt the plan in December this year so that the EIP may enter the operational phase in January 2013. The creation of an EIP on water was announced in a Commission communication published on 14 May this year, in order to speed up the development and implementation of innovative solutions to water-related problems (see EUROPE 10614). (AN/transl.jl)