Knowledge spillovers in Europe and its consequences for systems of innovation

European integration has traditionally been aimed at the reduction of barriers to intra European trade and factor mobility. This has been achieved by the abolition of tariffs and import duties, by liberalisation of capital movements and reduced barriers to foreign direct investments, by legislation facilitating mobility of people across the European Union, and by the abolition of various so-called non-tariff barriers to trade under the 1992 programme.