Enhance Research Security Across the EU

In today’s complex geopolitical context, the openness and borderless cooperation in the research and innovation sector may be exploited and turned into vulnerabilities. Results of international research and innovation cooperation can be used for military purposes in third countries, or in violation of fundamental values. 

Against this background, the Commission presents a proposal for a Council Recommendation to provide more clarity, guidance and support to Member States and the research and innovation sector at large. EU action is required to ensure consistency across Europe and to avoid a patchwork of measures. By joining forces at all levels and across the Union we can mitigate the risks to research security and ensure that international research and innovation cooperation is both open and safe. The overall approach follows the principle ‘as open as possible, as closed as necessary’ as regards international research cooperation.

Background

On 20 June 2023, the European Commission and the High Representative published a Joint Communication on a European Economic Security Strategy, to minimise the risks in the context of increased geopolitical tensions and accelerated technological shifts, while preserving maximum levels of economic openness and dynamism. It provides a framework for assessing and addressing – in a proportionate, precise and targeted way – risks to EU economic security, while ensuring that the EU remains one of the most open and attractive destinations for business and investment.

The strategy identified four risk categories to be addressed as a matter of priority: supply chains; physical and cyber-security of critical infrastructure; technology security and technology leakage; weaponization of economic dependencies or economic coercion.

To address these risks, the Strategy is structured around three pillars:

Promoting the EU’s competitiveness and growth, strengthening the Single Market, supporting a strong and resilient economy, and strengthening the EU’s scientific, technological and industrial bases.

Protecting the EU’s economic security through a range of policies and tools, including targeted new instruments where needed.

Partnering and further strengthening cooperation with countries worldwide who share our concerns and those with which we have common economic security interests.

Source: EU Rapid/Press release