Diskusijos

Trečiadienis, 2021 m. liepos 7 d. - Strasbūras

17. Nauja Europos mokslinių tyrimų ir inovacijų erdvė (EMTE) (diskusijos)

  Presidente. – L'ordine del giorno reca la discussione sull'interrogazione con richiesta di risposta orale alla Commissione su un nuovo spazio europeo della ricerca e dell'innovazione, presentata da Cristian-Silviu Buşoi, a nome della commissione per l'industria, la ricerca e l'energia (O-000031/2021 - B9-0026/21) (2021/2524(RSP)).

  Cristian-Silviu Buşoi, author. – Mr President, this European Research Area – initially launched in 2000 under the Lisbon Treaty – underwent its revitalisation process in 2018. It is an effort to create a single, borderless market for research, innovation and technology across the EU.

The objective of creating a genuine single market for research re-confirms the goal to realise an average research spending level of 3% of GDP. Research ministers reaffirmed their commitment to reaching the target by 2030.

Here we are, 21 years after its launch, in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic: Europe faces extraordinary health, economic and social challenges.

Last year’s communication set high ambitions for the new European Research Area (ERA), and it is very much welcomed. To further strengthen Europe’s world-leading research, a strong ERA is essential, and must be based on research excellence, international collaboration, openness, inclusiveness and academic freedom. It should help fulfil the ambitions of the European Green Deal and industrial strategy. And this, of course, will be a great challenge.

The context having been set with the communication, the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy, which I have the honour to chair, has tabled an oral question with a motion for a resolution, on the matter of which I put forward several aspects for your consideration.

We’d like to underline the important role of that ERA played in research and innovation during the COVID pandemic, in finding multi-sectoral and transdisciplinary solutions to overcome the crisis. In this regard, we welcome the ‘ERA versus Corona’ action plan as an example of quickly defined and well-targeted action undertaken together with the Member States. We are concerned that improving the quality of such an innovation system is slowing down: it shows uneven progress across the Union.

The COVID pandemic has not only demonstrated the importance of research and innovation cooperation, but also of open science practices and infrastructures to rapidly deliver solutions to the most demanding societal needs.

While we welcome the inclusive approach of the Commission in aligning the ERA with the European Education Area and European industrial policy to foster synergies between the interdependent policies, this should lead to synergies, and not to more complexity in the European Research Area, the European Education Area or industrial policy.

In order to achieve our goals, we need to have a pact for research and innovation in Europe, and clear commitments by 2030 to increase public spending on research, innovation, and national public R&D funding.

We truly believe that one of the keys to success of significantly increased public spending on research and innovation lies in integrating different European, national and private funding streams, including convergence of funding through Horizon Europe, the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), EU cohesion funds, and national R&D funding.

We think that the recovery plans and the Next Generation EU represent an opportunity to reinforce the knowledge triangle and strengthen skills, education and research. And we stress the need for more structured links with the initiatives to reinforce the European Education Area and European Innovation Area.

We call for an ambitious Horizon Europe, for widening participation and for the strengthening of an ERA package that supports collaboration between Member States in order to achieve a balanced access to excellence. We approve of the Commission’s plans to improve access to excellence, institutions and infrastructure for researchers from across the EU. However, there is a clear need for more targeted support aimed at helping close the research and innovation gap in the Union. We ask the Commission to work together with Member States to identify policies and procedures that could support a better management of research careers, reduce precariousness, promote inclusion and diversity, and ultimately increase the quality of science produced.

We firmly believe that ERA cannot be complete without guaranteed academic freedom within the Union and without upholding the provisions of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union related to academic freedom, the freedom to fund higher education institutions, and the freedom to conduct business.

In this regard, we underline that academic freedom does not only entail an individual dimension insofar as it is associated with freedom of expression, and specifically in the field of research, the freedoms of communication, of research and of dissemination of results.

In order to achieve a strong research base in Europe, we need coherent efforts. We therefore welcome a reaction from the Commission to these matters. And I know that the ambitious, energetic and extraordinary Commissioner Mariya Gabriel will be able to make this ERA a reality.

  Virginijus Sinkevičius, Member of the Commission. – Mr President, I would like to thank honourable Members because the oral question they raise today gives me the opportunity to present the ongoing actions in a number of areas identified in our communication on the European Research Area (ERA) last year.

First of all, the Commission attaches the highest importance to research careers, as researchers and their activity are fundamental for the full implementation of a reinforced European Research Area, and for the development, growth and resilience of our society. We have already started working on the update of the definition of the taxonomy of researchers’ skills and on the update of the European Skills, Competences, Qualifications and Occupations (ESCO) classification. We intend to complete this work by the end of this year.

In particular, the Commission is developing a list of researchers’ skills and occupations to be included in the ESCO classification with a view to improve the representation of the research profession. The new taxonomy will be transposed at national level for the European mobility portal, EURES, and it will be used by Europass for all the services the new platform provides. Both initiatives will contribute to a better recognition of the research profession and will provide the necessary conditions for researchers at all career stages, including young ones, to be equipped with the skills and competencies they need for a successful career.

The Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions will remain the main EU instrument for researchers’ career development and mobility. The new Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions further emphasise the role of excellent doctoral training programmes beyond academia, as well as the involvement of other sectors, namely businesses and SMEs, in order to ensure better career prospects for early career researchers.

Another important element of the toolbox will be the ERA for You initiative. Currently at the design stage, this mobility scheme is designed to support exchanges between industry and academia and to encourage researchers towards entrepreneurship. The one—stop—shop portal, based on the new current EURAXESS services network and portal, will also be developed to help researchers with all their needs. The ERA Talent Platform will have enhanced features to make it more usable, more interactive and better fit for the purpose.

As regards the academic freedom, the new ERA communication underlined the Commission’s intention to propose a Pact for Research and Innovation Europe. One of the objectives of the pact is to provide a renewed political impulse of the European Research Area by reaffirming the commitment of the Member States to the values and principles of the ERA, including academic freedom.

The recently adopted communication on the global approach to research and innovation also identifies academic freedom as one of the fundamental values that the EU and its Member States should promote and protect internationally. Further work in developing and promoting principles for international cooperation in research and innovation will be carried out in the recently created ERA Forum for Transition.

Second, the oral question also looks at how private investments in R&I can be encouraged in order to accelerate the green and digital transitions and foster a resilient and socially equitable recovery. The Commission has proposed the ambitious but realistic target of achieving public R&I investment at European level of 1.25% of GDP by 2030. In the context of the Recovery and Resilience Facility and the European Semester, the Commission engages in in-depth policy dialogues with the Member States with the aim of supporting structural reforms and fostering investments. The Commission regularly monitors R&I reforms and investments in the context of the European Semester and ERA. Preparatory work is being conducted for an ERA scoreboard, which will monitor the relevant dimensions of the ERA, including investments.

The last point raised in the oral question concerns the narrowing of the gap in R&I. Research and innovation are critical to boosting the resilience of Europe’s societies and economies, and to supporting Europe’s competitive leadership in the global race for technology. Therefore, Europe needs to bridge the persistent innovation divide. Member States have the possibility to invest in R&I policies and reforms with support from the cohesion policy or the Recovery and Resilience Facility should they make this a priority in their plans.

But place—based policies alone are not enough to close the innovation divide. In this context, Horizon Europe, in synergy with the other EU programmes, will continue measures targeting lower R&I performing countries through its Widening Participation programme, which will benefit from an increase in funding to almost EUR 3 billion for the period 2021—2027. A Reinforced Regional Innovation Scheme of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology will also be available for the 2021—2027 period. In Horizon Europe, traditional actions to widen participation will be combined with measures to promote brain circulation, improve the quality of the proposal of legal entities from less performing countries, boost the activities of national contact points developing matching services, promote excellence initiatives, and enjoy ongoing R&I collaborative projects. Synergies between all EU funding programmes for R&I and with national and regional funding schemes are encouraged and will become more simplified than in the past.

Finally, the Commission has also set up a number of instruments, such as the Horizon Policy Support Facility and the Technical Support Instrument to assist countries to define and implement necessary R&I reforms and enhance policy learning across policymakers.

  Maria da Graça Carvalho, em nome do Grupo PPE. – Senhor Presidente, Senhor Comissário, caros Colegas, a área europeia de investigação tem uma importância decisiva para a nossa União. Proporcionar as condições adequadas para a atividade científica significa contribuir para o crescimento da economia, a criação de emprego e o bem-estar da sociedade em geral.

É necessário que se continue a investir em ciência e inovação, com especial atenção para a investigação fundamental tanto ao nível da Comissão Europeia como de cada Estado—Membro. Os planos de recuperação e resiliência são uma oportunidade para reforçar os investimentos a nível nacional, tendo presente a meta há muito definida dos 3% do Produto Interno Bruto dedicado a estas áreas. Espero que os Estados-Membros sejam ambiciosos a este nível.

Igualmente importante é proporcionar as condições aos investigadores para desenvolverem as suas atividades. A Europa deve ter capacidade para atrair e manter os investigadores. Importa dar especial atenção aos jovens cientistas, que foram particularmente afetados nas suas atividades pela pandemia de COVID-19. Criar essas condições significa proporcionar carreiras dignas, combater a precariedade, mas também dar acesso às infraestruturas, à informação e aos dados, capacitando os centros de investigação e as universidades. Só assim teremos a investigação de excelência de que a Europa precisa.

  Maria-Manuel Leitão-Marques, em nome do Grupo S&D. – Senhor Presidente, o investimento na União Europeia em investigação e desenvolvimento aumentou 1,3% anualmente desde 2010. Apesar disso, continuam a faltar 110 mil milhões de euros para atingirmos os 3% do PIB em todos os Estados-Membros.

Precisamos de mais ambição da Comissão, precisamos que acelere a apresentação de propostas para dignificar a carreira dos investigadores, nem sempre recompensados na dimensão do trabalho que fazem, o qual não podemos deixar fugir para fora da União, dos Estados-Membros.

Precisamos de investir mais na ciência e de permitir a criação de verdadeiros ecossistemas sem fronteiras. O renovado espaço europeu de investigação é um projeto que virá a dar passos nesse sentido e que visa, entre outros aspetos, fomentar a interligação entre os investigadores, coordenar prioridades científicas e incentivar mais projetos conjuntos.

A ciência é uma das áreas onde a União Europeia é líder em termos globais. Façamos com que não perca essa posição.

  Ivars Ijabs, Renew grupas vārdā. – Godātais sēdes vadītāja kungs! Mūsu reālie darbi nedrīkst atpalikt no mūsu plāniem un stratēģijām, un, ja mēs nopietni uztveram Eiropas zaļā kursa un digitalizācijas uzdevumus, pētniecībai un inovācijai ir jākļūst patiesi eiropeiskai. Eiropas pētniecības telpa šobrīd ir ietvars, kurš mums visiem kopā ir jāpiepilda ar vienu reālu saturu un negaidot vēl 20 gadus līdz rezultātiem, kā tas diemžēl ir bieži noticis iepriekšējā cēlienā.

Pirmkārt, dalībvalstis ir efektīvi jāmotivē tiekties uz tiem trim procentiem izdevumiem pētniecībai, tai skaitā novirzot šim nolūkam naudu no struktūrfondiem, no Next Generation EU un tā tālāk. Eiropas naudai ir efektīvi jāmazina atšķirības pētniecības budžetos dalībvalstu starpā, tai skaitā arī dodot plašākas pilnvaras Eiropas Komisijai to ietekmēt.

Otrkārt, mums ir jādomā par Eiropas pētnieku ataudzi un jauno paaudzi. No smadzeņu aizplūšanas cieš gana daudzas dalībvalstis, īpaši Austrumu un Centrāleiropā, bet arī Eiropā kopumā. Skaidras karjeras iespējas jaunajiem pētniekiem, skaidras sociālās garantijas un iespēju atgriezties savā mītnes zemē — tas viss Eiropai ir jāorganizē kopīgi, ja mēs nevēlamies iepalikt iepakaļus saviem ģeopolitiskajiem sāncenšiem.

Visbeidzot, akadēmiskā brīvība mums ir jāsargā kā viena Eiropas pamatvērtība. Dārgie kolēģi, Eiropas zinātne vienmēr ir bijusi izcila, un zinātnē galvenais kritērijs ir izcilība. Tomēr mums ir jāapzina un jāataudzē šis izcilības potenciāls visās dalībvalstīs un ne tikai dažās. Tādēļ mēs aicinām pāriet no vārdiem pie darbiem un padarīt Eiropas pētniecības telpu par realitāti.

Paldies!

  Jordi Solé, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group. – Mr President, since 2009, achieving the European research area (ERA) has been an explicit Treaty objective. Nevertheless, progress is still needed today to accomplish many of the ERA objectives. For instance, on the level of research and innovation expenditure, we are still lagging very much behind other countries such as Israel, South Korea, Japan or the US.

Research and innovation (R&I) are essential to enable Europe’s recovery in a fair and sustainable way, bringing forward the green and digital transitions while at the same time enhancing our competitiveness and resilience, in particular taking into account the lessons learned from the COVID—19 pandemic. The EU, its Member States and regions have to redouble efforts and significantly increase R&I expenditure and to align these efforts with a more ambitious EU industrial policy that is consistent with the European climate law and the goal of climate neutrality.

Furthermore, Member States should take full advantage of the Next Generation funds in order to boost their R&I efforts, making them a real driving force for advancing the twin transition. After all, a well—developed ERA is essential for promoting both fundamental research and the more applied research, enabling us to find faster and concrete solutions for the pressing challenges ahead.

Academic freedom is a fundamental pillar in the ERA and has to be promoted internationally, but also in the EU, especially in the light of some internal threats, as pointed out in the European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruling on Hungary and foreign higher education institutions.

Finally, yet importantly, we have to acknowledge the role of regional governments in promoting R&I policies and developing and connecting R&I ecosystems. There are some very successful experiences of that which significantly contribute to the excellence of European research.

VORSITZ: OTHMAR KARAS
Vizepräsident

(Die Aussprache wird unterbrochen)