The Ministers responsible for Research supported the project for a Black Sea Strategic Framework for Cooperation in relation to the Horizon 2020 Framework Programme at an informal meeting in Bucharest on Wednesday 3 April.
The Romanian Presidency of the Council of the EU presented the Black Sea Strategic Research Agenda, which will be officially launched in May in Bucharest. Many national delegations are reported to have expressed their support for the initiative, as well as the Commissioner for Research, Carlos Moedas.
At a press conference, the Commissioner stressed the importance of strengthening cooperation in the Black Sea, both because of its specific characteristics and because it has been the cradle of many civilisations, citing the Byzantine and Greek.
During the exchanges between ministers, some delegations would have offered to share their accumulated experiences through other similar existing maritime initiatives (PRIMA for Mediterranean research, the Atlantic Research Alliance, etc.). However, several ministers reportedly warned against duplication effects.
MEPs also discussed strengthening the principle of excellence in European research and innovation, as well as extending the future Horizon Europe framework programme (the 'widening principle', increased to 3.3% of the total budget of the programme) to the research structures of the European Union of 13 (the Member States having joined the European Union after 2004) following the provisional agreement sealed on the future Horizon Europe framework programme (see EUROPE 12218/15).
On this point, most Member State delegations would have stressed the importance of combining excellence with closing the research and innovation gap in the EU. As such, many would have insisted on "brain circulation" and the mobility of researchers.
A number of Member States have pointed out that Horizon Europe measures will only reduce the gap in research and innovation between Member States within the EU if they are combined with appropriate national measures.
During the exchanges, delegations stressed the need to strengthen the competitiveness of the European economy based on its innovative capacities, due to increasing pressure from international competitors, notably China and the United States. (Original version in French by Pascal Hansens)