Council conclusions

of 26 November 2002

on progress made in the development of the European research area and on providing it with new momentum

(2003/C 43/01)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

RECALLING the conclusions of the Lisbon European Council in March 2000, which, in the context of setting the strategic target for the European Union to become the most competitive knowledge-based society by 2010, and in underlining the significant role played by research and development in generating economic growth, employment and social cohesion, asked the Council and the Commission, together with the Member States where appropriate, to take the necessary steps as part of the establishment of a European research area (ERA), including to:

- develop appropriate mechanisms for networking national and joint research programmes on a voluntary basis around freely chosen objectives,

- encourage the development of an open method of coordination for benchmarking national research and development policies,

- remove obstacles to the mobility of researchers in Europe;

RECALLING that the Barcelona European Council in March 2002 agreed that overall spending on R& D and innovation in the Union should be increased with the aim of approaching 3 % of GDP by 2010, and that two thirds of this new investment should come from the private sector; NOTING that this initiative is an important element in contributing to the successful implementation of the ERA;

RECALLING Council Resolution of 15 June 2000 on establishing a European area of research and innovation(1), and Council Regulation of 16 November 2000 on making a reality of the European area of research and innovation: guidelines for the European Union's research activities (2002-2006)(2) in which it was considered that this must be the product of joint and voluntary effort and partnership between the European Union, the Member States, the applicant countries, the associated countries and all scientific and technical research stakeholders, as well as Council Resolution of 10 December 2001 concerning the reinforcement of the mobility strategy within the European Research Area (ERA)(3);

1. WELCOMES the submission of the Communication from the Commission entitled "The European research area: providing new momentum";

2. WELCOMES the progress achieved in developing the ERA, in areas such as benchmarking, networking and mutual opening up of national programmes, while noting the structural differences in Member States, as well as the varying pace of advance in the application of its different aspects;

3. WELCOMES the adoption of the Sixth Framework Programme as an important and innovative strategic tool having a structuring effect on research and technological development in Europe and contributing to making a reality of the ERA;

4. WELCOMES efforts currently being undertaken in the context of ERA to achieve closer linkage with other European cooperation initiatives such as COST, Eureka and ESF, with a view to creating synergies while respecting their complementary roles;

5. AFFIRMS that a continuing strong commitment of the Member States is necessary for the successful implementation of the ERA;

6. REAFFIRMS, in accordance with Article 165 of the Treaty establishing the European Community, the importance that the Community and the Member States coordinate their research and technological development activities so as to ensure that national policies and Community policy are mutually consistent and CONSIDERS that, while fully respecting the principle of subsidiarity, this coordination should take place at the national and European level;

7. CONSIDERS that for achieving the objectives of the ERA, as agreed in the Lisbon 2000 European Council conclusions, a method of open coordination on a voluntary basis could be developed;

8. ACKNOWLEDGES in addition the possibility of using legal measures where they can constitute the most appropriate and effective means of achieving the objectives of the ERA, such as in the field of Intellectual Property Rights and RTD statistics;

9. INVITES CREST to recommend appropriate measures for strengthening the ongoing actions to advance the ERA, in particular in its advisory capacity in relation to the coordination of the RTD activities of the Community and the Member States and in respect of the role of other European cooperation initiatives in the ERA;

10. INVITES the Permanent Representatives Committee to study further the Communication from the Commission, with a view to assisting in the timely preparation of the necessary input for the Spring 2003 European Council. It is invited to pay particular attention to the following suggestions for improving conditions for encouraging better coordination:

- examining, for achieving the objectives of ERA, the concrete use of an open method of coordination in accordance with the Lisbon 2000 Council conclusions, based on joint and voluntary efforts and in full respect of the principle of subsidiarity and the independent role of national policies,

- strengthening the role of CREST in contributing to improved coordination within the ERA, possibly by reviewing its mandate and working methods,

- improving the mobility of researchers in the public and private sectors in Europe by the further identification and removal of persistent obstacles, where such obstacles span different policy areas, also taking into account other issues arising from the development of an effective mobility strategy for the ERA,

- measures to favour innovation in the ERA, so that those who generate knowledge are brought together with those who use, exploit and finance it, thus stimulating the free movement of knowledge and innovation;

11. INVITES the Member States, in collaboration with the Commission where relevant through CREST and other appropriate existing bodies, to strengthen the actions being undertaken to develop the ERA further, in particular by:

- improving career development for researchers, including issues such as recruitment and retention of researchers,

- facilitating or continuing to facilitate entry and residence for researchers from third countries,

- encouraging national research organisations in Europe to coordinate their activities, while taking advantage of opportunities existing in the Framework Programme, as well as strengthening cooperation at a strategic level between managers of major national research organisations by building upon existing forums,

- making fuller use of the possibilities offered by the European Strategy Forum on Research Infrastructures for consulting and advising the Member States and the relevant European institutions,

- in cooperation with relevant national and European research organisations, continuing discussions on the purpose and scope of a European Research Council and exploring options for its possible creation,

- putting in place a more effective exchange of information and cooperation on international scientific cooperation policies,

- stimulating technological innovation, utilisation of research results, transfer of knowledge and technologies and the setting up of technology businesses,

- exploring the means for transferring knowledge of good practice and policies between regions in the ERA, including the regions of the Candidate countries;

12. INVITES the Commission, in consultation with relevant stakeholders, to facilitate the examination of all these issues, and to report to Council before the end of 2003 on the progress made in developing the ERA, with special emphasis on the issue of integrating other European cooperation initiatives.

(1) OJ C 205, 19.7.2000, p. 1.

(2) OJ C 374, 28.12.2000, p. 1.

(3) OJ C 367, 21.12.2001, p. 1.