Coopération internationale
In 2008, the European Commission proposed the Strategic European Framework for International Science and Technology Cooperation to strengthen science and technology cooperation with non-EU countries. The objective was for Member States and the European Commission to define together priority research and technology areas where a coherent EU effort would generate more added value than bilateral activities.
Member States and the European Commission are involved in a myriad of research cooperation activities with non-EU countries. However, the absence of a common strategy at European level has led to duplication of efforts and often a waste of resources and a reduced impact. At the same time, global challenges such as climate change, food and water supply or energy security, highlight the need for better coordination in science and research between Member States and the Commission to promote EU policy goals as well as global sustainable development.
What was new in the Strategic Framework?
The strategy, adopted by the Commission on 24 September 2008, set out a framework for a European approach to international cooperation in science and technology. It identified general principles which should underpin European cooperation with the rest of the world and proposed specific orientations for action to:
- reinforce the international dimension of the European Research Area (ERA) by strengthening cooperation with Europe's neighbours through the Framework Programme and fostering strategic cooperation with key third countries through geographic and thematic targeting;
- improve the framework conditions for international cooperation in science and technology and for the promotion of European technologies worldwide.
Implementation: The European Partnership
The Competitiveness Council of 2 December 2008 welcomed the Strategic European Framework and invited the EU Member States and the Commission to form a European Partnership in the field of international scientific and technological cooperation based on consultation and sharing of information. The Partnership aims to identify common priorities which could give rise to coordinated or joint initiatives and positions vis-à-vis non-European countries and within international fora. The Council also invited the Member States and the Commission to establish a Strategic Forum for International Science and Technology Cooperation (SFIC) to drive forward the European Partnership for S&T cooperation.
This Forum, which met for the first time in February 2009, is chaired by an EU Member State (since June 2011 by Ms. Riitta Mustonen , Vice President (Research), Academy of Finland). It has developed a step-by-step approach, starting with a geographic and a thematic pilot initiative on "EU/Member States S&T cooperation with and vis-à-vis India" and on "Energy Research" (in close coordination with the SET-PLAN), i.e. in areas where cooperation within the Partnership could provide added-value. These pilot initiatives will enable SFIC to analyze how a more coordinated approach with other countries and country groupings (industrialised & developing countries) could shape up, and define the role of the Partnership in relation to international Summits and bi-regional S&T policy dialogues. Experiences gained in this process will serve as basis for a Partnership-based EU international S&T cooperation strategy.
The Competitiveness Council of 26 May 2010 acknowledged SFIC's work and invited Member States and the Commission to build upon initiatives proposed by SFIC when developing the European strategy for international S&T cooperation.
The work of the SFIC can be followed through the annual reports (first annual report - the 28 April 2010, second annual report - 18 May 2011) and the work programmes (Work programme 2011-12).
The conference "India-EU and Member States Partnership for a Strategic Roadmap in Research and Innovation" (Delhi, 11-12 November 2010) was the first tangible activity of the SFIC EU/MSIndia Pilot Initiative. The event gathered over 200 policy makers, administrators and stakeholders of research and innovation. It focused on water and bio-resources related challenges, but also discussed bilateral and multilateral instruments, projects and innovation policy and initiatives. The conference clearly demonstrated the positive results that can be obtained thanks to the new Partnership approach of EU countries 'speaking with a coordinated voice' towards a non EU-country. Moreover, it mapped out ideas and put forward recommendations (a blueprint) for the development and implementation of a strategic roadmap in research and innovation between India – EU and Member States. For more information please check the conference web site and download the final conference report.