Laserlab-Europe, an association of key European laser research institutions, entered into a new phase of collaboration on March 15 in Bratislava, Slovakia. Guests of the launch ceremony included representatives of the Slovak government, the European Commission and the Slovak Academy of Sciences. In early 2009, the International Laser Centre/Medzinárodné Laserové Centrum of Bratislava became a member of Laserlab-Europe. Since then, it has played a key role as a national contact point and as a coordinator of Laserlab-Europe’s training activities. Laserlab-Europe represents 19 European countries. (Image: Laserlab Europe) The world’s most powerful scientific lasers, the “Extreme Light Infrastructure,” or ELI, a close collaborator of Laserlab-Europe, are currently being established in the Czech Republic, Hungary and Romania. Another civilian European megaproject, HiPER, will investigate the possibility of creating energy from fusion. “We have deliberately chosen Bratislava for this important event and are grateful to our hosts,” said professor Wolfgang Sandner of Max Born Institute in Berlin and coordinator of the Laserlab-Europe consortium. “Lasers and photonics, one of only five key technologies for the European Union, are not only essential for the scientific but also for the socioeconomic future of any country.” During its initial phase, from 2012 to 2015, Laserlab-Europe will comprise 28 of the largest laser infrastructures in 19 European countries. Many investigator groups are provided free and regular access to the consortium’s facilities. For more information, visit: www.laserlab-europe.eu