Cyprus plays "active and coordinating role" at EU talks on future of research and innovation

Deputy Minister of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy Nicodemos Damianou “played an active and coordinating role” at the Informal Competitiveness Council of the European Union on Research, which took place in Copenhagen, Denmark, on 16–17 July.

Damianou served as rapporteur and, according to an announcement by the deputy ministry, “enhancing Cyprus’ contribution to the process of shaping European policy on research and innovation“.

The deputy minister also held political discussions with a number of his counterparts.

The discussions focused on a common European approach to advancing critical technologies such as artificial intelligence and semiconductors, as well as the European Commission’s proposal for the Tenth Framework Programme (FP10) for Research and Innovation, published on July 16.

“Cyprus reiterated its readiness to support a joint European approach to the development of research infrastructures in critical technologies, with an emphasis on shared infrastructures serving the EU’s strategic objectives, such as the green and digital transitions,” the ministry said.

“The need to simplify the funding access framework, especially for startups and strategic sectors, was underlined, as was the importance of public-private cooperation and talent development in fields like artificial intelligence,” it added.

Regarding the European Commission’s proposal for the new Framework Programme for Research and Innovation, Cyprus “welcomed the ambitious approach and coherent architecture of the programme as a strong foundation for the forthcoming negotiations”.

Moreover, the ministry said that Damianou “expressed particular satisfaction with the significant increase in the overall budget, nearly doubled to €175 billion for the period 2028–2034, as well as the threefold enhancement of the pillar dedicated to the commercial use and valorisation of research, which reflects a strategic shift toward strengthening innovation and private sector engagement”.

He also welcomed the intention to simplify procedures, especially to facilitate business participation.

With respect to the “Widening” component, Cyprus supported the continued targeted support of less developed innovation ecosystems to ensure their full integration into the European framework.

Meanwhile, on the sidelines of the council, the Cypriot minister held a series of meetings with his counterparts from Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Belgium, Germany, Portugal and Estonia.

These discussions covered the priorities of the upcoming Cypriot presidency and broader issues regarding the importance of research and innovation for Europe’s competitiveness, as well as the European Commission’s proposal for the new framework programme.

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