The EU ‘Competitiveness’ Council will devote the morning of Friday 2 December to research. The European research ministers will approve a number of non-legislative texts that have been the subject of considerable preparatory work.
The ministers are expected to adopt conclusions on research infrastructures, which aim to fully develop the potential of European research and innovation (R&I) ecosystems and to strengthen European capacities to respond to societal challenges in the social, economic, health and environmental fields (see EUROPE 13029/11).
The ministers are also expected to approve conclusions on the new European Research Agenda. A text that aims to preserve European leadership in R&I, notably by improving R&I investment and regulation and by taking into account the needs and specificities of innovative technologies. (see EUROPE 12986/15).
Ministers are expected to adopt as well a recommendation on guiding principles for knowledge valorisation (see EUROPE 13070/5). The text includes 24 non-binding guidelines. This recommendation updates the 2008 Commission Recommendation on the management of intellectual property in knowledge transfer activities (2008/416/EC). The update expands the number of actors and areas involved to better reflect the current realities of R&I.
These three texts are not legislative and will be discussed in the public session.
The Czech Presidency will propose as well a political debate, also in a public session, on the optimal use of scientific knowledge in public policy making. A reflection that may include existing or possible new instruments (see EUROPE 13070/5).
Under ‘other business’, the Commission will inform Member States about the consultation on past (including Horizon 2020), present (Horizon Europe) and future European research framework programmes. National authorities will be encouraged to participate in the consultation. The Commission will update the ministers on the Knowledge and Innovation Community (KIC) of the European Institute of Technology (EIT).
In addition, the Spanish delegation wants to inform the ministers about the public-private Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area (PRIMA), in which 19 countries are currently participating.
Finally, the incoming Swedish Presidency of the EU Council will announce its research agenda in the next six months.
During the informal lunch, the ministers will discuss an element of the European Research Area (ERA) 2022-2024 work programme: technological infrastructures.
Links to texts: https://aeur.eu/f/4dc ; https://aeur.eu/f/4dd ; https://aeur.eu/f/4de ; https://aeur.eu/f/4df (Original version in French by Émilie Vanderhulst)