European Research and Innovation ministers gathered in La Hulpe, Wallonia, for an informal meeting under the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the European Union on Thursday.
Ministers primarily discussed framework programmes and research capitalisation and laid out the agenda for the formal summit on May 23.
"Our discussions focused on two aspects: the framework programmes, including an evaluation of Horizon 2020 – the European Union’s research and innovation programme – and the essential capitalisation of research results," explained Wallonia’s Minister Willy Borsus, who presided over the meeting.
The Belgian Presidency has set three priorities for research and innovation: strategic autonomy, enhancing its role, and harnessing knowledge.
Borsus argued that "translating research results into societal and economic value is a key element for competitive industry, to meet the challenges of our society, and to fully enrol in the concept of open strategic autonomy guiding the European Union."
"The impulses we can give on these aspects will be a beacon for the future," he added, stressing the "importance of stabilising the framework programme’s budget." Borsus emphasised that “this budget should not be strained or mismanaged."
Over the course of the day, the European ministers also addressed the issues of artificial intelligence, advanced materials, supercomputers, and semiconductors.
The delegations called for increased predictability and flexibility to address rapidly evolving developments.
Discussion points on the agenda included the mobility of researchers, strengthened ties between the academic world and industry, administrative simplification, and mobilisation of existing resources. "We finally hope to engage SMEs in our plans and better coordinate the financing of different instruments," continued Minister Borsus.
Iliana Ivanova, the European Commissioner for Research, also present at La Hulpe, emphasised the "need for a strong budget in the coming years."
