The Presidency programme builds on the four priorities adopted earlier: growth, job creation and social inclusion; a stronger Europe - let us build upon the foundations and secure the future; a citizen-friendly European Union; responsible enlargement and global commitment. The programme sets out political guidelines for some policy fields in the first half of the year. Please find below the Hungarian presidency's plans for the areas of research and innovation: 

A competitive European Research Area

European research activity is fundamental for competitiveness. It is the Presidency’s intention to contribute to the interim evaluation of the 7th Framework Programme, as well as to the debate on the Joint Technology Initiatives and the evaluation of the Art. 185. Initiatives Programmes. The evaluation of the 7th Framework Programme will provide us with input for the 8th one.

While preparing the 8th R&D Framework Programme, the Hungarian Presidency will pay special attention to the coherence of the Framework Programme with national and EU-level financing sources, so that research programmes can be implemented successfully and synergies exploited. Our work will be governed by our shared need to simplify Framework Programmes in order to leave our researchers more resources for their core activities.

Budapest is proud to be host to the European Institute of Innovation and Technology. By organising a high-level conference for all stakeholders, we
would like to contribute to the adoption of its first seven-year Strategic
Innovation Agenda.

Innovation as the engine of European competitiveness

Exploiting the innovative capacity of European enterprises is one of the cornerstones of competitiveness. We need innovation instead of administration. We need to support our companies, including SMEs, by creating the right business environment and better access to finance, so enabling them to use innovative methods and come up with innovative products. Therefore, the Presidency will work towards bringing the Small Business Act closer and on promoting the innovation dimension of Europe 2020.

The role of the Competitiveness Council is to provide measures to implement the Innovation Union flagship. On the basis of the debate on the 4th of February European Council, we would like to take steps towards a European Research Area streamlined with the aims of the Europe 2020 Strategy.

Download the full report.