Although the bloc has made progress in creating a more attractive, efficient and integrated space, there is still room to increase its potential, the European Commission judged. In this regard, the organization called for reducing regulatory, legal and administrative barriers to private investment, and considered that reforms are essential to attract more investors and innovators.

The support provided within the framework of the Horizon Europe program and the EU mobility plans contributed to strengthening scientific cooperation networks, the Commission exemplified in its statement.

It also appreciated the investment of more than one billion euros to support the promotion of more solid research and innovation capacities in the less advanced countries of the EU. However, it acknowledged that further work is needed to reduce bureaucracy and provide better information on available opportunities.

The bloc’s states have assistance for the economic exploitation of research results, but the EU still needs more venture capital to make breakthrough innovations a reality, the organization argued.

In the opinion of the source, efforts need to be redoubled to address the disparities that continue to exist in career development opportunities across the EU and to ensure the long-term sustainability of research and technology infrastructures.

At the moment, there is also no progress on the objective of having at least five per cent of national public research funding in joint cross-border programmes or European partnerships.

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