Mon. Dec 23rd, 2024

Main results of the EU Competitiveness Council on research and space

Nov 29, 2024 , , , , , , , ,
The flag of the European Union in a Marsian landscape
A European flag on Mars illustrating the higher EU space. Source: DALL-E/IEU

Brussels, 29 November 2024

Research

Strengthening the competitiveness of the EU, reinforcing the European Research Area and overcoming its fragmentation

Ministers responsible for research started the Research part of the COMPET Council by approving Council conclusions on strengthening the competitiveness of the EU, reinforcing the European Research Area and overcoming its fragmentation.

Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing the EU’s competitiveness, prosperity, and climate neutrality by 2050 through improved research and innovation (R&I) policies. The conclusions emphasise the need to foster scientific excellence, disruptive innovation, and address challenges like the green and digital transitions and economic security. The conclusions call for reducing the divide between member states and increase R&I investments to meet the 3% GDP target by 2030 and promote national and EU collaboration. The conclusions stress the importance of knowledge, talent, and evidence-informed policymaking in strengthening competitiveness and the EU’s global position. The European Research Area (ERA) will be vital for reducing R&I ecosystem fragmentation and enhancing collaboration among member states. The text supports a better ERA governance in areas such as open science, innovation ecosystems, and research infrastructures, while promoting talent circulation and researcher mobility. Finally, it encourages creating an investor-friendly environment for start-ups, incentivizing private investments and flexible funding for Europe’s technological growth.

 

Harnessing the bioeconomy potential of Central and Eastern Europe

Ministers have also approved Council conclusions on a potential Europe-wide research and innovation initiative on advancing sustainable natural resource management, food systems security and the deployment of the bioeconomy, harnessing the potential of Central and Eastern Europe.

The Council conclusions emphasise sustainable biomass production as essential for achieving the European Green Deal’s 2030 and 2050 goals and for boosting Europe’s competitiveness through a circular bioeconomy. The text calls for greater transnational collaboration, particularly with neighbouring countries (Western Balkans and candidate countries), to address challenges in resource management and food security, and acknowledges the work of BIOEAST, an initiative that unites Central and Eastern European countries to foster circular bioeconomy, for its role in coordinating relevant research. Finally, the conclusions invite the Commission to assess the need for and feasibility of a potential new R&I initiative in the area of the bioeconomy.

 

Advanced materials

Ministers also approved Council conclusions on the Commission’s communication on advanced materials.

The Council welcomes the Commission’s communication on the growing demand for advanced materials in Europe and calls for accelerated research and innovation (R&I) to further develop the advanced materials ecosystem. These materials should be safe, sustainable, and resource-efficient to support the Green Deal and circular economy. The Council invites the Commission and Member States to improve research security, identify common objectives and update R&I priorities areas, as appropriate. It takes into account the suggestion to create a digital infrastructure for advanced materials, building on existing infrastructures like EuroHPC and the European Open Science Cloud. The Council requests the Commission to avoid administrative burden for Member States when setting up a Technology Council for Advanced Materials. It emphasizes the need for public and private investment, using initiatives like the ‘Innovative Materials for EU’ partnership or Projects of Common European Interest to attract private funding. The Council also calls for stronger synergies between EU funds, for support for innovators and SMEs and for the development of workforce skills, noting the launch of an ‘Academy of Advanced Materials.’ Lastly, it highlights the ethical and societal implications of advanced materials, including their health and environmental impact.

 

The contribution of research and innovation to the competitiveness of the EU

Ministers held a policy debate about the contribution of research and innovation to the competitiveness of the EU. The debate was framed by a note prepared by the Hungarian presidency.

The note recalls that Mario Draghi’s report ‘The future of European competitiveness’ underscores the critical role of research and innovation in driving Europe’s productivity and competitiveness, and emphasises the need to close the innovation gap with other global economies. The Draghi report proposes several measures to address shortcomings of the European innovation and get the ecosystem moving.

These include:

  • improving the financing of innovation, start-ups and scale-ups
  • preparing a simpler and more effective 10th R&I framework programme
  • promoting academic excellence; investing in a world-leading research infrastructure
  • better coordinating policies to reach the target of devoting 3% of GDP to R&D; simplifying the regulatory framework

Ministers expressed their opinions on three issues:

  • the main points of the Draghi report, and how to implement them
  • promoting excellence while preserving inclusiveness, accessibility and sharing the benefits and prosperity of R&I
  • ways to leverage private R&I capital

All ministers welcomed the analysis of the Draghi report and agreed that research and innovation is essential to improve EU’s competitiveness and reduce the innovation gap with major economic global players. Many ministers explained the measures taken to reach the 3% GDP target devoted to research. However, according to many delegations, to reach this target private investment will be essential. Ministers called for a better framework to attract private investment with less administrative burden, more incentives and a real capital markets union. The presidency called to find a middle ground between excellence and inclusiveness in research policy. Finally, many delegations agreed that now is the time for action.

 

Any other business

Independence of the European Research Council (ERC)    

The Danish delegation, with the support of 22 other delegations, provided information about ‘Reinforcing the independence of the European Research Council (ERC)’.

Incoming presidency programme

The Council was informed by the Polish delegation about its presidency work programme in the field of research and innovation.

 

Space

Reinforcing European competences in the space sector

Ministers approved Council conclusions on ‘reinforcing European competencies in the space sector’.

Chaired by Minister of State Richárd Szabados, Ministers of the Space Formation agreed, that the space sector plays a crucial role in supporting the EU’s economic, social, environmental, technological and security goals. However, there is a pressing need to strengthen Europe’s capabilities in this field to maintain its competitiveness, leadership and independence.

The conclusions highlight the importance of a comprehensive approach that includes:

  • developing skills,
  • regulatory frameworks,
  • international collaboration to ensure that Europe remains at the forefront of space technology.

The conclusions emphasise the need for proactive steps, such as investing in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education, and creating synergies between businesses, universities and public institutions. These actions are expected to foster innovation, sustainability, and resilience within Europe’s space sector. The conclusions also call for reduced reliance on non-European technologies to protect the interests of the Union and to strengthen its ability to act independently on the global stage and foster a culture of continuous improvement and excellence in the space sector.

 

Midterm assessment of the Space Programme

Ministers approved Council conclusions on ‘the interim evaluation of the European Union’s space programme’.

The Council conclusions ‘The interim evaluation of the European Union’s space programme’ analyse the findings of a report on the implementation of the EU Space Programme and on the performance of the EU Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA), that the Commission published in July 2024. The Space Programme was established for the period 2021-2027 to implement space activities in the fields of earth observation, satellite navigation, Space Situational Awareness (SSA), Governmental Satellites Communications (GOVSATCOM), connectivity, space research and innovation. and to support an autonomous, secure and cost-efficient capability to access space, taking into account the essential security interests of the Union; as well as to foster the development of a strong Union space economy, including by supporting the space ecosystem and by reinforcing competitiveness, innovation, entrepreneurship, skills and capacity building in all Member States and Union regions., and set up the EU Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA). The Council conclusions take stock of the progress made in implementing the EU Space Programme, analyse the work of the EUSPA and identify priorities for the work ahead. The conclusions urge for action against the growing threats to the safety and resilience of the programme and call for reduced dependency and strengthened autonomy.

 

The future of the EU’s space policy

Ministers held an exchange of views on ‘the future of the EU’s space policy – Defence synergies with a civilian Space Programme’.

The policy debate focused on the strategic and security aspects of space policy, following the adoption of the EU space strategy for security and defence (EUSSSD) in March 2023. The discussion was guided by a document prepared by the Hungarian presidency which identified space as a strategic and contested domain.

Ministers shared their opinions on three topics:

  • the possible evolutions of the Space Programme to address the growing security challenges in Europe
  • strengthening the EU space infrastructures’ resilience and security in the context of current civilian oversight frameworks
  • considerations on which dual-use technologies should be prioritised and steps to ensure alignment with sustainability goals

Many delegations emphasized the need to update the European policy perception of space to keep pace with the rapidly changing international geopolitical landscape. Several delegations pointed out that dual-use considerations—the use of space assets for both civilian and military or security purposes—will become increasingly important in the future space policy. However, in line with the EU Space Strategy for Security and Defence, most ministers agreed that the EU space programme should provide more services to defence users, while still maintaining civilian control. In this context, the upcoming EU Space Law, the next Space Programme, and the EU’s flagship space initiatives should take into consideration dual-use needs to ensure the resilience and security of EU’s space systems, preserve technological sovereignty in space, and strengthen overall strategic autonomy.

 

Any other business

Incoming presidency programme

The Council was informed by the Polish delegation of the work programme of the incoming presidency in the field of space.

 

Preparatory documents
Outcome documents

Source – EU Council

 

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