15/09/2008 (Agence Europe) - The European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), an EU flagship initiative to stimulate innovation in Europe, began its work on Monday 15 September with an inaugural meeting of its Governing Board. The meeting was held in Budapest, which is the site of the Institute's headquarters. The Governing Board was due to reach a number of major decisions concerning the functioning of the Institute, including the election of its director and executive committee. Furthermore, it was due to look at the first measures to be taken for the selection of the first two or three Knowledge and Innovation Communities by the start of 2010. The meeting of the Governing Board was preceded by an opening ceremony attended by, among others, the Prime Minister of Hungary Ferenc Gyurcsány, President of the Commission José Manuel Barroso, and the Commissioner for Education, Training, Culture and Youth Ján Figel. (O.L. /transl. fl)