Resolution on EU 2020

The Council held an exchange of views on the new EU strategy for the creation of growth and jobs, on the basis of the results of the dialogue between the Commission and the Member States regarding national targets for investment in research and development (R&D).

Delegations agreed with the Commission on that ambitious and realistic national targets should be set for investment in R&D.

They also welcomed the Commission intention to go on working on the design of appropriate indicators for monitoring the impact of research into economic growth. In this context, some ministers referred to the need to increase resources for innovation whilst using existing research instruments more efficiently. Some delegations highlighted the need to suggest means to encourage the private sector to invest in research and innovation.

Other participants emphasized the importance of education, the conditions for attracting scientists and the promotion of a culture of innovation among European citizens.

Lastly, some delegations proposed monitoring progress towards achieving the 2020 objectives, by conducting a mid-term review in 2015.

At the last spring summit, the European Council agreed on several of the main elements of the Europe 2020 strategy together with headline targets. In the area of knowledge and innovation, the objective is to bring combined public and private research investment levels up to 3% of gross domestic product.

With a view to the next EU summit on 17 June, the European Council called for Member States to set their national targets taking due account of their relative starting positions, national circumstances and potential for increasing research expenditure, and to check consistency with the EU headline targets through dialogue with the Commission.