The Competitiveness Council (Research and Space) will meet on Friday in Brussels with the main topics on the agenda including the new “Horizon Europe” programme for 2028–2034, science diplomacy, and progress on the EU Space Act.
The Council will be chaired by the Deputy Minister of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy, Nicodemos Damianou, while Commissioner for Defence and Space Andrius Kubilius and Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation Ekaterina Zaharieva will also participate.
According to a senior European Union official, discussions are expected to focus on critical issues for European competitiveness and research policy.
More specifically, in the field of research Ministers will hold a discussion on the “Horizon Europe” programme for 2028–2034, in the context of negotiations on the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF). According to the official, the programme is a priority for the Cyprus Presidency, as it constitutes a key instrument for research and innovation, with a focus on excellence, competitiveness and strategic autonomy.
According to the diplomat, the Presidency has made progress on the related file, although a limited number of issues still require further discussion. The debate will focus on the remaining issues, including the governance of the programme, widening measures and collaborative research, with the aim of providing political guidance for reaching a timely agreement and ensuring continuity for EU research and innovation.
Subsequently, in the area of space, a progress report on the EU Space Act will be presented, outlining the state of negotiations on establishing a more coherent European framework. The proposal aims to strengthen the competitiveness, security, resilience and sustainability of Europe’s space sector, while reducing fragmentation and improving legal clarity.
