“Choose Europe for Science” They say Macron and von der Laien – Participation by Rector EKPA

A major initiative was made on May 5, 2025, French President Emmanuel Macron to attract scientists to Europe. Together with the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, they spoke at the leading international event Choose Europe for Science at the University of Sorbonne in Paris. This event was invited by President Macron and the Rector of the NCSR Athens, Professor Gerasimos Siasos, along with other European university leaders.

This event is part of a more comprehensive attempt to attract European universities the scientific and research potential that is currently working in universities and research centers internationally and to intimidate independence in research and more broadly in science.

As the French president typically said ‘There can be no viable democracy without free and open science« , While he stressed « No one could have imagined a few years ago that one of the largest democracies in the world would abolish a research program on the basis that there was a word diversity in programs. »

The conference is based on the belief that freedom of science and research is one of Europe’s strong points. President Von Der Leyen reiterated Europe’s commitment to scientific leadership and open and collaborative research. That Europe needs to be – and will become – a global hub for science, academic freedom and excellence in research. He even announced that the « Choose Europe for Science » initiative « It will put forward a $ 500m program between 2025 and 2027 to attract foreign researchers to » help support the best and most brilliant researchers and scientists from Europe and around the world « . In addition, it announced that the goal of the European Union is 3% of the budget to invest in research and science.

For its part, the Presidency of the French Republic emphasized that the purpose of the event is to meet the biggest names in European research: Rectors of Universities, Directors of Research Institutions, businesses as well as politicians from all over Epirus. In order to enhance the attractiveness of research in Europe, in order to continue to attract the best talents.

Gerasimos Siasos: « Europe remains attractive for science and scientists »

The Rector of the NCSR Professor Gerasimos Siasos made the following statement on his participation in the Choose Europe for Science event: « I was particularly honored, as the Rector of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, at the leading European scientific event » Choose Europe for Science « . This event highlights Europe’s strategic role in the global scientific community, and is a powerful message in favor of the free mobility of scientists, international cooperation and investment in research and innovation. We congratulate the President of the French Republic, Mr. Emmanuel Macron and the President of the European Commission Mr. Ursula von der Leyen for their very important initiative.

The National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, as a leading academic institution in the country, is working systematically to strengthen Greece’s position in the European and international research area. Our participation in such initiatives contributes substantially to the promotion of Greek scientific excellence and the interconnection of our researchers with international networks.

Europe remains an attractive place for science and scientists, and the University of Athens is determined to continue to contribute to the formation of the future of research, education and innovation in our continent, developing further significant cooperations, Like the one with the top university of Sorbonne«