President Battistelli and Minister Frick
Leading up to the visit, President Battistelli highlighted that closer co-operation between the EPO and each and every one of its member states is crucial to providing better services to European industry: "Only by working together with our local partners through the exchange of best-practices, know-how, and tools, can we make optimum use of the resources and competences available among the whole network of European countries," he said.
"Liechtenstein, the 6th smallest country in the world, is a very good example that the size of a country is not a precondition for attaining high innovation performance and knowledge-based economic growth," he added. "In 2011, there were 264 patent filings at the EPO from companies from Liechtenstein, which has a population of some 36 000 inhabitants," he said.
President Battistelli met with Liechtenstein's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Justice and Culture Aurelia Frick, who welcomed the close co-operation of the European Patent Office with its member states and emphasised the significance of the European patent system: "An efficient and well developed patent system in Europe is vital for the success of the innovative, knowledge-based, export-oriented industry of Liechtenstein," she said.
During the visit, President Battistelli was also welcomed by HSH Hereditary Prince Alois at Vaduz Castle, and held a meeting with patent professionals and industry representatives.
Liechtenstein has been a member of the European Patent Organisation since 1 April 1980.
