R&I – A renewed European agenda (Communication)

Key points

The EESC welcomes the fact that the Commission has made it clear that research and innovation must continue to be an essential EU priority.

The EESC:

• reiterates the importance of public investment in research and development as a key driver for producing and sustaining a spillover effect on the Member States' economies;
• welcomes the aim of further simplifying State aid rules to facilitate the combination of different funds, which can be instrumental to overcoming the large disparities between Member States and regions;
• is convinced that many grand societal challenges can only be solved at a European level and this is why the idea of missions is supported;
• believes it is necessary to increase the volume of EU investment to help European workers to keep abreast of developments in and earn qualifications for digital professions;
• believes that initiatives helping SMEs to capitalise on and tap the outcome of research and innovation should be supported more effectively.

For more information please contact the INT Section Secretariat.