Ministers responsible for space policy had an exchange of view and adopted Council conclusions on the Space strategy for Europe, published by the Commission last autumn, following wide-ranging consultation with stakeholders and Member States. Ministers reinforced their commitment for continued cooperation for harnessing the opportunities space has to offer to the European economy and society, in particular the development of market uptake of space data, the continuation and enhancement the flagship programmes Copernicus and Galileo.
On the Research part of the Competitiveness Council ministers adopted conclusions on streamlining the research and innovation (R&I) monitoring and reporting landscape. The aim of the Council conclusions is to reducing the reporting burden in the monitoring of R&I performance and policies. In addition, its goal is also to decrease the overlaps in order to ensure that data collection is not an administrative burden for Member States.
The ministers also exchanged views on the economic rationale for public R&I funding and its impacts. The ministers agreed that research and innovation is a key driver for economic growth and productivity and plays a key role in tackling economic and societal challenges. Several ministers stressed the importance of adequate framework conditions, support to the whole innovation chain, boosting cooperation between academia and industry, the use of financial and fiscal tools, the European Added value and tackling societal challenges.
