On Friday 27 February, the European Commission presented a new package of measures designed to strengthen Europe’s international engagement in the field of research and innovation (R&I). This initiative aims to strengthen Europe’s global partnerships, while safeguarding its strategic interests, maintaining open and secure international cooperation and enhancing Europe’s attractiveness for global talent and innovation (see EUROPE 13232/2).
This initiative takes the form of a recommendation, the aim of which is to lay the foundations for a shared vision, a common narrative and a pragmatic code of conduct for science diplomacy. It should make it possible to defend the Union’s democratic values, strategic interests and technological and data sovereignty, to strengthen its competitive position as a major player in science and technology on a global scale, to optimise the deployment of its R&I potential and to reaffirm its commitment to the sustainable management of the world’s common goods and resources.
The recommendation also aims to promote coherence and optimise resources, both at EU and Member State level, in the area of science diplomacy. The second section therefore makes recommendations to the Member States concerning strategic, operational and enabling actions. The final section sets out how the recommendation will be followed up.
However, it is made clear that no part of this recommendation impinges on Member States’ competence in matters of foreign and security policy or on the autonomy of scientific institutions.
Read the proposal: https://aeur.eu/f/kyw (Original version in French by Anne Damiani)