Competitiveness Council (research configuration): main results
Valérie Pécresse, Janez Potočnik
© Conseil de l'Union européenne
- On: 02.12.2008
- In: Brussels
The Council adopted a 'Vision 2020' for the ERA and outlined the procedure for the joint programming of research aimed at better responding to major societal challenges. The meeting was also the occasion for defining guidelines for the future development of the GMES programme.
At the end of an in-depth debate between the Member States, which was launched at the informal meeting of 17 and 18 July in Versailles, the European Research Area (ERA) was endowed with a 'Vision 2020'. This founding text makes the ERA an area of freedom and exchange for scientists and aims to create the framework for the free movement of researchers and their work in a European area without borders to promote the spread of knowledge. This space should also be based on two other fundamental pillars, namely human resources and infrastructures.
The Member States specified the procedure for joint programming in research, thereby commiting to taking a common and concerted approach to tackling major societal issues of common interest, in order to increase the effectiveness of public funding for research and development in the EU. To this end, they propose to work together to overcome the challenges identified in Versailles: the food crisis and its consequences for agriculture and how we manage our ecosystems; climate change which makes renewable energies indispensible; the transition to a knowledge-based society; and the ageing of the European population. The joint programming will be implemented gradually throughout 2009, starting with the fight against neuro-degenerative diseases and Alzheimer's disease.
Ms Pécresse applauded the launch of a 'European partnership for scientific and technological cooperation'. This partnership of the Member States and the European Commission will enable them, after consultation, to speak more often with one voice in meetings with third countries and in international organisations, and to identify the common priorities with a view to coordinating cooperation activities and launching joint initiatives, where appropriate.
The minister went on to review the work on the 'European Partnership for Researchers' launched at the Competitiveness Council on 26 September last. The ministers from Portugal and Luxembourg, José Mariano Gago and François Biltgen, presented the results of the mission that Valérie Pécresse and Xavier Bertrand had entrusted to them, on how to accelerate the implementation of this Partnership.
The Council continued its examination of the draft regulation on the legal status of research infrastructures of pan-European interest. This draft regulation aims to facilitate the establishment of new, important research infrastructures in Europe, due to a unique Community legal status and accelerate the implementation of the ESFRI roadmap (European Strategy Forum on Research Infrastructures).
The Council also adopted conclusions on a European strategy for marine and maritime research.
Lastly, the ministers expressed their satisfaction with regard to the current status of the GMES (Global Monitoring and Environment Security) programme, and urged the Commission to continue its efforts to make the programme an essential tool for sustainable development and security policies in Europe. Following the debates held at the informal meeting of the space ministers in Kourou on 21 and 22 July, the Council conclusions emphasise the 'Kourou guidelines', which are aimed at establishing a certain number of principles applicable to the GMES, such as the notion of 'public property', partnership and open access. The Council also emphasised the need for the EU to ensure the continuity of GMES services. It expects the Commission to make legislative proposals and budgetary estimates in 2009 that will make the GMES programme more sustainable.
These conclusions are an important stage in the development of the GMES programme and echo the decision of the ministerial council of the European Space Agency on 25 and 26 November 2008 to complete the Earth observation missions that are ongoing or under development, by launching the second phase of the 'Sentinels' programme, which is the spatial component of the GMES.
- Updated: 30.12.2008
