19/06/2008 (Agence Europe) - José Manuel Barroso, European Commission President, was pleased with the agreement reached on Wednesday 18 June on the seat of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) (see EUROPE 9685). Barroso commented that the EIT is the European answer for filling innovation gaps and that it will help Europe register results and increase competitiveness. He also congratulated Hungary and the town of Budapest for its selection, illustrating “Hungary's long tradition of excellence in the education, research and innovation sector”. He thanked the other candidate towns for the interest they have shown. The commissioner responsible for education, training, culture and youth, Jan Figel, also welcomed seeing the European project on track. “It is vital if we want to successfully raise the challenges of the 21st century”, he said. (I.L./transl.jl)