Biotechnology in Europe and Latin America

The accession of Spain and Portugal to membership of the European Community in January 1985 not only brought new vitality to the European initiative, but served as a powerful reminder of the broader dimensions of the Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking worlds. A reinforcement of Europe's natural and historical interna- tionalism of outlook was particularly relevant in the context of biotechnology; for the sophisticated multi-disciplinary scientific base, and the several broad application areas, force on biotechnol- ogy an internationalism both for access to scientific capability, and for access to worldwide markets. Such was the rationale for 'SOBELA': a 'Seminar on Biotechnol- ogy in Europe and Latin America', which in April 1987 brought some 50 Latin American entrepreneurs, policy-makers and academic leaders to Europe and to Brussels. At the Commission's Borschette Conference Centre, they heard presentations from eleven of the Community Member States, each emphasising its strengths in bio- technology and its interest in promoting industrial collaboration with firms in Latin America. The seminar was opened by speeches from Vice-President Karl- Heinz Narjes on behalf of the Commission, and by His Excellency Luis Ramiro Alfonsin of Argentina, senior Latin American diplomat in Brussels. In the closing session, Directors-General Paolo Fasella (Science, Research and Development, DG XII) and Jean Durieux (External Relations, DG I) welcomed Their Excellencies the ambas- sadors from Argentina, Mexico, Brazil, Uruguay and Colombia.