With the third highest number of patents per head, one of the highest spending on research and development as percentage of its economy and the highest concentration of start-ups per capita Israel has a lot to offer to its European neighbours. This strong potential has been recognized by the EU and explains the 20 year long cooperation between Israel and the EU in the areas of research, science and innovation that has been mutually beneficial.
In view of this important relationship EU Commissioner for Research, Science and Innovation Carlos Moedas visited Israel from January 10th to 12th, 2016: “I love this country. I hope the cooperation between Israel and Europe will increase." Since Israel's accession to the European research programme in 1996 until today, more than 4,600 Israeli institutes from research and industry and other organisations have received grants from the EU. "Over the last year, I have been around Europe, talking to researchers and scientists, and everybody greatly appreciates the work of your scientists and innovators. (…) The drive and energy that you have in this country to create businesses is unique and is an example to Europe.”
During his stay Commissioner Moedas also met President Reuven Rivlin; Minister of Science, Technology and Space, Ofir Akunis; Chief Scientist of the Ministry of Economy, Avi Hasson; Head of the Planning and Budget Committee of the Council of Higher Education, Prof Yaffa Zilbershats, and other key Israeli entrepreneurs and venture capitalists. He also took the time to talk to students at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and paid tribute to victims of the Holocaust at Yad Vashem, the World Center for Holocaust Research, Documentation, Education and Commemoration in Jerusalem.
Israeli know how is already widely used in Europe, sometimes literally to save lives. Commissioner Moedas visited Mobileye, an Israeli company that developed Mobileye Shield+TM an advanced collision avoidance system. This revolutionary driver assistance technology empowers drivers to avoid and mitigate imminent collisions, protecting the most vulnerable and difficult to observe road users: cyclists, pedestrians and motorcyclists.
In view of the big number of cyclists in London and the usually high involvement of trucks in cyclist accidents Ealing Council, for instance, installed the Mobileye powered Cycle Safety Shield on its highway and for its lorry fleet. No fewer than 15 potentially serious collisions with vulnerable road users were avoided in tests, and driver behaviour improved by 20%, resulting in a fuel saving worth more than 1,300 Euro per vehicle per year. Cycle Safety Shield does not only protect cyclists but also improves driver behaviour and saves lives.
The Israeli Ambassador to the EU David Walzer highlights: “The cooperation between Israel and the EU in the sectors of research and science is a key pillar of our relationship - demonstrating Israel’s important scientific contribution in these areas.”