Addis Ababa, September 8th 2009 - European Union (EU) Commissioner for Science and Research, Janez Potočnick, paid a visit to the AMESD head office as part of a two-day meeting with the African Union Commission in the framework of the Africa-EU Strategic Partnership signed by the African Union (AU) and the EU at the Lisbon Summit in December 2007.
The one hour meeting at the AMESD Head Office gathered about 20 participants, including EU and AUC representatives, and journalists from Europe. The event was also covered by the Ethiopian television. After a welcome address by Ms. Olushola Sodeko (AUC AMESD Program Coordinator), a demonstration of the AMESD receiving station based at AUC was given by the AMESD Technical and Developmental Management Officer, Dr. Marc Leroy. The demonstration was followed by a presentation of AMESD program's activities and expected results together with some practical examples of the type of services that will be provided within the five Thematic Actions.
The meeting was concluded with a short question and answer session with the journalists.
Commissioner Potočnick was very impressed with the work of AMESD and gave a strong message on the importance of programs such as AMESD which contribute to knowledge transfers and capacity building.
