European research ministers will meet by videoconference on Tuesday 7 April to assess what research and innovation solutions can be put in place at EU level to stop the spread of COVID-19.
The discussions, which will start at 4pm, will focus on the European funds - and in particular the structural funds - that can be mobilised in response to this crisis.
It will also address the means available to Member States to enable the sharing of scientific data, results and infrastructures between the different European research and innovation centres.
The ministers will also be invited to support a non-binding action plan consisting of ten priority measures aimed at better coordinating research activities between Member States. These measures can "be executed in a relatively short timeframe", says the Croatian EU Council Presidency in a note EUROPE obtained a copy of.
According to the paper, "possible research and innovation policy developments" will also be discussed. The aim of this meeting is to provide a short-term response to the current crisis, but also to prepare for possible future crises.
Priority area. This videoconference of research ministers follows the invitation of European leaders - at the European Council of 26 March (see EUROPE 12455/1) - to make research and innovation one of the five priority areas in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
"There is an urgent need to share scientific information and to collaborate both within the EU and worldwide on the challenge of developing a vaccine in the shortest possible time", the Heads of State and Government agreed in a joint declaration following their meeting.
So far, the EU has supported 18 research projects on COVID-19 (see EUROPE 12458/14), including vaccines. (Original version in French by Agathe Cherki)