The objective of the working session was to draw conclusions and recommendations in relation to the future European Research and Innovation Plan and to supplement the conclusions of the Council on this matter.

In particular, the informal council aimed at the following:

• for the Ministers for Research and Ministers for Industry to jointly examine the different points of view on the future European Research and Innovation Plan
• to identify common issues that could add to the Council’s conclusions on the European Research and Innovation Plan
• to enable the Ministers for Research and Ministers for Industry to jointly examine current issues

R&D&I Focusses of the Belgian presidency

The European Council will also discuss research and innovation at the December Summit of Heads of State, which is in the focus of the Belgian Presidency.

Other important issues are the simplification of framework and other research and innovation programs, continuing the work of the Spanish presidency. The upcoming work will have minor implications for FP7, but will contribute to major changes in the next FP.

The presidency intends to focus on a follow-up to the ERA initiatives through joint programming and the initiative on excellence in universities. The new presidency will attempt to retain the momentum of the Spanish presidency regarding mobility and researchers’ careers through a major conference on the subject.

Another focus is on the ways of R&D&I to contribute to sustainable development with several conferences focusing on those issues, as well as questions regarding atomic energy and space with the extension of the 7th Euratom FP and further conferences on space exploration.
 

Sources:

• http://bveudev.yourict.be/informal-joint-council-european-research-and-industry-ministers
• http://www.eutrio.be/informal-joint-council-european-research-and-industry-ministers
• Minutes of the 8th Meeting of Steering Platform on Research for the Western Balkan Countries, Belgrade, June 24, 2010.