16/12/2003 (Agence Europe) - The European Merit Foundation (Luxembourg) awarded the President of the European Association of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Eurochambres) Christoph Leitl the prize for European merit. During the ceremony that took place in Linz (Austria), Christoph Leitl called for the geographic enlargement of the EU to be followed by intellectual enlargement and argued the need for greater federalism and solidarity. President Peitl also insisted over the importance of enhancing cooperation between the regions and social partners and establishing partnerships and initiatives enabling the EU to become the most competitive knowledge economy in the world by 2010. Faced with a reality of 14 million unemployed in Europe, we cannot remain passive. We must regroup all our strength to stimulate economic growth and employment, he stated. Eurochambres President since 2002, Christoph Leitl is President of the Union of European Federalists (UEF), of Oberösterreich and Vice-President of the UEF's Austrian section.