International cooperation in research and innovation

Key points

The EESC:

• welcomes the Commission's new communication;
• feels that the Horizon 2020 budget must be financed at the very least on the scale proposed by the Commission, and calls on the European Parliament and the Council not to allow any cuts in this area;
• argues that those Member States in the European Research Area which at present do not have enough research institutions of excellence should eliminate this disadvantage as quickly as possible with the help of the Structural and Cohesion Funds ;
• is concerned that international cooperation could develop into a political end in itself for the Commission or a vehicle of Commission external policy;
• is also concerned about red tape.

Other relevant EESC opinions on:

• Innovation
• Research and development

For more information please contact the INT Section Secretariat