Morant highlights EU agreement to attract and retain excellent research, innovation and entrepreneurial talent in Europe

During the meeting, the Recommendation on a European framework for attracting and retaining R&D talent was adopted, including a new European Charter for Researchers, which updates the one created in 2005.

The minister stressed that the aim of this charter is to make Europe a home for scientific talent, which is a lever for progress and social welfare. For this, the document introduces 20 key principles to develop attractive research careers in Europe, which are more stable, secure, without barriers to mobility and on equal terms for men and women.

Morant pointed out that the Charter promotes excellent science, which is not only measured by the number of articles published. "Science of excellence with a European stamp is that which guarantees dignity in the workplace for the scientific community, and ethical research, with integrity, a gender perspective and values such as inclusion and diversity, which contributes to improving the lives of society as a whole," she said.

During the meeting, the Council Conclusions on strengthening the role and influence of research and innovation in the EU's policy-making process were adopted, which are based on three pillars: science for public policy, regional innovation ecosystems and the role of the recovery and resilience mechanism in driving these policies.

In this regard, the minister said that the EU will analyse how European recovery funds have contributed, from the field of science and innovation, to the ecological and digital transition, to reducing the gender gap and to the progress of European R&D policies.

"We have mapped and quantified the impact of these European funds on countries' research policies, and we have put it at 50 billion euros. This joint and coordinated effort has served to strengthen the research and innovation policies of the European Union and the European Research Area," said Morant.

She also assured that under the Spanish presidency, the extension of PRIMA, a key initiative for diplomacy and international cooperation in the Mediterranean area, will be ensured until the end of 2027.

Specifically, PRIMA is a European research and innovation instrument to combat inequalities in critical areas for the region and in areas susceptible to climate change and natural disasters.

Finally, Morant referred to the Tenerife Infrastructure Declaration during her speech, to which all EU countries and the Commission have signed, which represents a commitment to improve the distribution of the research infrastructure ecosystem throughout Europe and to seek its sustainability, both in its construction and design and in its governance and funding.

Competitiveness Council on Space

The minister also chaired the meeting of the EU Competitiveness Council on Space, which adopted conclusions on space traffic management that stress the urgency of developing a common EU approach and the importance of addressing regulatory issues from a European perspective that encompasses safety, security and sustainability. This approach will also preserve and enhance the competitiveness of European companies.

Morant said that these conclusions will have a significant contribution to the EU's main political priorities, including the European Green Deal, the Digital Transformation, technological non-dependence or Europe's autonomous, secure and cost-effective access to space.

Furthermore, she stressed that the EU must ensure autonomous, safe and cost-effective access to space, which helps to guarantee the sustainability of services that enable progress on Europe's climate emergency policies and on the roadmap for Europe's green and digital transformation.

The minister also highlighted the fact that space-based services facilitate people's daily lives, contribute to other areas such as security and are essential for saving the planet; controlling floods, fires and droughts; guaranteeing cybersecurity or even for developing the medicines of the future. "We want to continue to improve people's lives from space," she said.

Space has been a priority of the Spanish presidency of the Council of the EU, which has promoted, together with the German presidency of the Council of the European Space Agency, the Seville Declaration to advance the green and sustainable use of space, increase European strategic autonomy, promote sustainable access to and exploration of the cosmos and strengthen European space-based infrastructures and services.

To date, 17 countries have signed the Declaration: Spain, Italy, Portugal, Ireland, Lithuania, Cyprus, Belgium, Hungary, Greece, Croatia, Luxembourg, Slovakia, Latvia, Austria, Bulgaria, Slovenia and Germany.

This Declaration contributes to the challenge of securing a pioneering role for Europe in the protection of the planet and space, for the benefit of the well-being of present and future generations.

Spain hands over the presidency of the EU Council to Belgium

Minister Diana Morant has handed over the Spanish presidency of the Council of the EU to Belgium. The system of rotating presidencies has existed since the early days of European integration. Every six months, a member state becomes the president of the Council of the EU and helps to ensure the smooth functioning of the EU legislative process.

Non official translation