EU Research Ministers discuss contribution of R&I to EU's competitiveness

At the Competitiveness Council (Research) on Friday, 29 November 2024, the ministers responsible for research held a Policy Debate focusing on the contribution of research and innovation to the competitiveness of the EU and the recommendations of the Draghi-Report on the future of European Competitiveness. Furthermore, the ministers approved a set of three Council Conclusions on (1) strengthening the competitiveness of the EU, reinforcing the European Research Area (ERA) and overcoming the fragmentation, (2) a potential Europe-wide R&I initiative on advancing sustainable natural resource management, food systems security and the deployment of the bioeconomy, harnessing the potential of Central and Eastern Europe, and (3) the Commission’s Communication on Advanced Materials. Also on the agenda was an AOB item on reinforcing the independence of the European Research Council (ERC), as well as the obligatory outlook on the work programme of the incoming Polish Council Presidency in the field of research. The meeting was chaired by Hungarian Minister Balász Hankó, the European Commission was represented by Commissioner Iliana Ivanova. It was Ms. Ivanova's last Council Meeting in her capacity as Research Commissioner.

The adopted 'Council Conclusions on strengthening the competitiveness of the EU, reinforcing the European Research Area (ERA) and overcoming the fragmentation' are based on the informal ministerial debate in Budapest in September 2024, and address the two reports by Mario Draghi on the future of European competitiveness, and by Enrico Letta on the future of the European single market. The Conclusions also recall the Budapest Declaration, underlining the urgency of closing the innovation gap, both with Europe's global competitors and within the EU, and reiterating the key importance of increased investments in R&D and the goal of meeting the 3% of GDP target.

The adopted Council Conclusions on bioeconomy build on the Commission Communication 'Building the future with nature: Boosting Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing in the EU' (March 2024), which outlines the need for a review of the EU Bioeconomy Strategy in 2025, taking into account the current societal, demographic and environmental challenges, while ensuring the EU’s resilience. The Council Conclusions aim at launching an assessment, in form of a gap analysis, on the need for, and the feasibility and impact of, a potential new Europe-wide research and innovation (R&I) initiative on sustainable natural resource management, food systems security and the deployment of the bioeconomy, harnessing the potential of Central and Eastern European Member States, Western Balkan countries and EU candidate countries. This assessment should be carried out by the Commission and should consider all possible options of a potential new R&I initiative.

The adopted Council Conclusions on the 'Commission Communication on advanced materials for industrial leadership' (February 2024) emphasise that the next generation of advanced materials should align with Europe’s goals for sustainability and a circular economy, with a focus on the preliminary priority areas for research and innovation, as identified in critical sectors such as energy, mobility, electronics and construction. The Conclusions also take note of the Decision of the Commission (July 2024) on a governance structure in the form of a Technology Council for Advanced Materials, which will coordinate the actions on advanced materials with Member States, research performing and funding organisations, and industry. The first meeting of this body took place in November.

In their Policy Debate, ministers discussed the predominant topic of competitiveness, which is also a priority of the Hungarian EU Council Presidency. The Background Note for the Debate mentions the report by Mario Draghi on 'The Future of European Competitiveness', which provides a comprehensive overview of the main challenges to Europe’s competitiveness and outlines a series of actions to revitalise Europe's economy. According to the report, the first key challenge for the European Union is the need to close the innovation gap with the United States and China. The Ministers focused in their Debate on the three questions of assessing key points of the Draghi report and prioritising its recommendations, addressing the innovation divide while balancing excellence with inclusiveness, and identifying effective strategies to mobilise private R&D investments to support ambitious EU goals.

Under 'Any Other Business', the Danish Delegation brought up an AOB on 'Reinforcing the independence of the European Research Council (ERC)', supported by 23 Member States. Furthermore, the Polish delegation shared the priorities and the programme of the incoming Polish Presidency in the field of research. The Polish EU Council Presidency will start on 1 January 2025. The informal meeting of EU ministers responsible for research will be held in Warsaw on 10-11 March 2025, and the next formal Competitiveness Council is scheduled for 23 May 2024 in Brussels.

For more information:

Competitiveness Council (Research and space) - Consilium (europa.eu)