On the evening of 23 June EIF invited its members and friends to celebrate together the 15th anniversary in the European Parliament. More than 140 guests, including MEPs, EIF members, European Commission and EU Member States representatives, former MEPs, joined to mark this occasion. Pilar del Castillo, MEP and EIF Chair, delivered a speech on EIF's past, present and future ‘EIF 2000-2015 and beyond’.
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EU Commissioner for Digital Economy and Society Günther Oettinger joined the celebrations and met EIF members for this occasion. He also delivered a speech titled 'Towards the Digital Economy'.
Commissioner Oettinger congratulated EIF with its 15 years anniversary. He also encouraged public-private partnerships to work together to make Europe a place where innovation, start-ups and digital economy are flourishing.
After all celebration speeches EIF chair Pilar del Castillo, Commissioner Oettinger and EIF Board of Management Chair Peter Olson cut the birthday cake. EIF members and friends continued to exchange views with Mr Oettinger, enjoyed the cake and rhythms of jazz.
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EIF was founded in March 2000 by three Members of the European Parliament from 3 different political groups: James Elles, Erika Mann and Elly Plooij-van Gorsel.