Research and Innovation will be at the centre of discussions today, on the second day (13.5), of the Informal Competitiveness Council (Research) chaired by Konstantinos Arvanitopoulos, Greek Minister of Education and Religious Affairs.

During the morning session, Ministers will focus on the Euro-Mediterranean Cooperation for Research and Innovation and the opportunities offered for Mediterranean countries to develop their human, natural and technological capital.

The crisis in Ukraine was high on the agenda of the Foreign Affairs Council (FAC), starting at 9.30 (CET) on Monday 12 May in Brussels, chaired by EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Catherine Ashton. Ministers took stock of ongoing work and adopted conclusions.

The Council turned to the state of play in the Middle East peace process, while, over lunch, there was an exchange of views on the EU's neighbourhood policy with countries in both eastern and southern Europe.

A press conference took place at end of the meeting.

The eHealth Forum 2014, taking place, in the context of the Greek Presidency of the Council of the EU, at Athens Concert Hall, aims at functioning as a platform for the exchange of experience and “best practices”, creating opportunities and challenges for dynamic partnerships and innovative synergies between local government, public, social and academic institutions and organizations representing patients and health professionals.