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The European Commission recently underlined the crucial importance of stepping up research and development (R&D) efforts across Europe. As the European Union aspires to strengthen its global competitiveness in the face of giants such as the United States and China, it warns of the consequences of underinvestment in this strategic sector.

An ambitious vision for 2030

In its annual report, the Commission calls on Member States to increase their R&D spending to 3% of their gross domestic product (GDP) by 2030, a target initially set as part of the Europe 2020 strategy. While some countries such as Germany and Sweden are already exceeding this mark, others, particularly in Eastern Europe, are still struggling to keep up.

“Innovation is the engine of economic prosperity and sustainability. Without substantial investment in R&D, Europe risks losing its status as a technology leader,” said Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission.

Strategic sectors to prioritize

The European Commission identifies several key areas where investments need to be increased:

  1. Green transition: Develop technologies to meet climate goals, including in renewable energy, batteries and the circular economy.
  2. Health: Accelerating innovations in biotechnology and digital health solutions.
  3. Digital: Strengthening European sovereignty in areas such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and semiconductors.
  4. Defence and security: Stimulating technological advances to respond to new geopolitical challenges.

Current obstacles

Despite significant progress, several obstacles still hinder the development of R&D in Europe:

  • Lack of coordination between Member States, making transnational projects more complex.
  • Insufficient funding for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which nevertheless represent an important part of the European economic fabric.
  • Brain drain, with many European researchers attracted by the opportunities and resources available outside the EU.

Towards a collaborative approach

To overcome these challenges, the Commission proposes a strengthened collaborative approach. The Horizon Europe programme, with a budget of €95.5 billion for the period 2021-2027, plays a central role in this strategy. The programme supports cross-border initiatives, encouraging Member States to pool their resources and work together on large-scale projects.

A call to action

“It is time for Europe to reaffirm its leadership in innovation. We need to invest not only in infrastructure and technology, but also in the talent that will build our future,” added Margrethe Vestager, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission.

This call to action highlights the urgency of the hour: without a massive and coordinated commitment, Europe risks finding itself in the position of an observer in an increasingly fierce global technological competition.