State Secretary Iva Ivanković participated in the EU Competitiveness Council for Research and Space in Brussels

State Secretary doc. dr. sc. Iva Ivanković participated in the EU Competitiveness Council for Research and Space held in Brussels on 25 May 2025 

At the EU Competitiveness Council meeting for Research, a policy debate was held on the topic of the mid-term evaluation of the Horizon Europe programme, lessons learned and looking forward to the Tenth Framework Programme. The discussion emphasised the importance of continuing a strong and self-standing framework programme for research and innovation in the next programming period, covering the entire value chain, as well as the continuation of widening measures and excellence.

A political agreement was reached on the Council Recommendation on the European Research Area Policy Agenda 2025-2027, as a strategic framework to encourage cooperation among EU Member States and jointly address societal challenges. Council Conclusions on Artificial Intelligence in Science were approved, sending a clear message on the need for a common strategy on artificial intelligence in science and for consolidating all initiatives in this area.

A working lunch discussion was held on the topic "Choose Europe for Science", during which it was highlighted that Horizon Europe is the best mechanism for attracting foreign researchers. Additionally, the importance of attracting ¸the best research talent capable of contributing to the Union’s technological development was underlined, as the EU cannot afford to become merely a retreat for researchers losing funding elsewhere.

In the afternoon session of the Competitiveness Council in the configuration of ministers responsible for space, Council Conclusions on the use of satellite data, in particular from Earth observation constellations, for civil protection and crisis management were approved. These conclusions highlight the enormous potential of space data to enhance resilience and support crisis management within the EU.

An exchange of views was held on the topic of space-based data for enhancing resilience, security and crisis management in the EU, during which State Secretary Ivanković underlined the benefits of such data for early detection, risk assessment, and risk mitigation. She also stressed the importance of strengthening cooperation between national authorities for civil protection as well as further strengthening of human capacities.

Under the AOB the continuation of PRIMA beyond 2027 was supported.

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