I would argue against the statement that all 'truly high talented people' (whatever that may mean) will leave Europe because the salaries are too low. At least in Academia I know plenty of smart people happily working away in Europe. I suppose it may well be different outside of academia, but not every (smart/talented) person in the world has a high salary as their #1 priority. To me, and to many of my friends/acquaintances, quality of life is also extremely important. I would rather, in the long term, live in a economically and politically stable country with good public (health) services and receive mediocre payment, than to receive high payment but with poor quality of life.