Council debates actions required to boost EU research and innovation and reach EU 2020 targets
EU ministers meeting in Brussels within the Competitiveness Council on 9 March held a debate about the "Annual Growth Survey - European semester", concentrating on the structural reforms required to boost investment in research and innovation and the challenges Europe is facing to reach the EU 2020 headline targets in this area. Ministers also adopted conclusions on the interim evaluation of Seventh Framework Programme and the preparation for the launch of a pilot European Innovation Partnership on "Active and healthy ageing".
In preparation for the spring EU Council, Research ministers held a debate on the "Annual Growth Survey: advancing the EU’s comprehensive response to the crisis", which was adopted by the Commission on 12 January providing the basis for the European Semester under the Europe 2020 strategy for growth and jobs. The European Semester makes part of a new governance architecture that was approved by the member states on 7 September 2010. The aim is to reinforce coordination while major budgetary decisions are still under preparation.
Within the debate, the Presidency stressed the need to focus public spending on research and development and to increase its efficiency and effectiveness by enhancing the performance of research and innovation systems. Furthermore, it is important to consider medium and longer-term views when implementing public innovation policies and base them on a clear vision with concrete actions and commitments.
EU road to excellence in research and innovation
In order to reach the objectives set by the European Union, ministers agreed that education systems and public research should be geared towards excellence. This requires a combination of incentives, such as a adequate performance-based funding, greater autonomy of universities and research institutions and greater specialisation. Ministers also pointed out in their debate that it is crucial to combine an efficient, service-oriented and reliable public administration with smart regulation and a dynamic market.
Europe needs to set the adequate conditions in order to attract top scientists and researchers, people with vocational skills an would-be entrepreneurs.
Evaluation of the Seventh framework programme for research (FP7)
Ministers also adopted the conclusions on the interim evaluation of the EU's Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) for research activities (2007-2013), including the Risk-Sharing Finance Facility (RSFF). This RSFF envisaged the possibility to release up to an additional 500 million euro for the period 2000-2013 following the evaluation of the European Parliament and the Council on the basis of a report by the Commission, which has been now approved.
European Innovation Partnership on "Active and healthy ageing"
European Innovation Partnerships (EIPs), as part of the Innovation Union flagship initiative under the Europe 2020 strategy, lay down on a new approach to European research and innovation intended to tackle common societal challenges. At the meeting on 9 March, the Council adopted conclusions on the preparations for the launch of a pilot European Innovation Partnership on "Active and healthy ageing", whose main goal is to increase the average life expectancy for Europeans by 2020, while ensuring that people can also live healthier and more active.