As part of the Czech Presidency of the Council of the European Union, the Attaché for Industrial Cooperation of the EU Member States and representatives of the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic visited the HiLASE and ELI Beamlines laser centres on Thursday 21 July. Delegates from Belgium, Germany, Denmark, Estonia and other countries visited both laser centres that were established thanks to funding from the European Union and have become a great example of how to link cutting-edge science with innovative industry and move the Czech Republic’s competitiveness forward.