EUROPEAN UNION EUROPEAN RESEARCH AREA COMMITTEE ERAC Secretariat Brussels, 21 March 2011 ERAC 1205/11 NOTE To: Subject: ERAC delegations Draft Summary conclusions of the 4 th meeting of ERAC, held in Brussels, on 23 February 2011 The meeting was chaired by the Director General of the Research Directorate-General of the Commission, Robert-Jan SMITS (items 1-5.2 (partly)) and by the Deputy Director General Ms. Anneli PAULI (items 5.2 (partly) - 6.2). 1. Adoption of the provisional agenda The Committee adopted the provisional agenda as set out in doc. CM 1467/11. 2. Approval of the draft summary conclusions of the 3 rd meeting The Committee approved the summary conclusions of the 3 rd meeting held in Eupen on 9-10 December 2010, set out in doc. ERAC 1201/11. ERAC 1205/11 UM/nj 1
3. Standing Information Points The following written information had been distributed to delegations: - "State of play of the four Joint Programming Initiatives" (contribution by Italy, the Netherlands and France). The Commission had informed delegations of the following policy initiatives: - Adopted policy initiatives Short-term measures for simplifying the implementation of the Seventh Framework Programme, C(2011) 174 (24/01/2011) Green Paper; From Challenges to Opportunities: Towards a Common Strategic Framework for EU Research and Innovation funding, COM(2011) 48 (9/02/2011) Commission's response to the FP7 interim evaluation report, COM(2011) 52 (9/02/2011) - Forthcoming policy initiatives Euratom 2012-2013 (end February 2011) Communication on "Partnerships in Research and Innovation" (summer 2011) Communication on scientific information (mid-2011) Communication on a European Strategy and Action Plan towards a sustainable biobased economy by 2020 (4th quarter) Package of legislative proposals for future research and innovation funding programmes (4th quarter 2011) The Committee was informed that an ERAC seminar on Peer Learning Activities for the Modernisation of Universities will take place on 30 March 2011 in Brussels. A Commission Communication on Modernisation of higher education (DG EAC in lead; DG Research and Innovation is participating too) is expected in September 2011. Furthermore, the Commission gave a short report to the Committee on the ERAC Simulation Seminar on 22 February 2011 regarding the Innovation Partnership "Active and Healthy Ageing" Pilot Initiative. ERAC 1205/11 UM/nj 2
4. Implementation and monitoring of IU in the context of Europe 2020 4.1. Europe 2020 developments in research and innovation The Commission gave an overview on the process of the "European Semester" and recalled that following the adoption of the first Annual Growth Survey (AGS), the first Europe 2020 Mutual Learning Exercise (MLE) had been organised on 26 January 2011. The aim of the MLE was to identify and exchange best practices with a view to reinforcing the National Reform Programmes that are due for submission by the end of April 2011. The MLE had focused on three key issues: (1) smart fiscal consolidation; (2) structural reform increasing efficiency of public support; and (3) improving the business environment for R&I. The importance of the use of the "self-assessment tool" had been highlighted in this context. The Rapporteur, Mr Bertrand Bouchet (FR) presented the draft ERAC Opinion on the AGS. The HU delegate confirmed the intention of the Presidency to include the ERAC Opinion in its input to Competitiveness Council on 9 March 2011. Following an exchange of views the Committee agreed that a revised draft Opinion would be circulated to delegations on 24 February 2011, asking for possible further input on "good examples" of best practices at national level, to be annexed to the Opinion. The Committee would be invited to adopt the draft Opinion through written procedure by 25 February 2011 1. As regards the Policy Mix Peer Review Process the Commission welcomed the quality of the expert group report following the Slovenian peer review that has been distributed to the delegations. The Chair thanked the Slovenian authorities as well as the members of the expert group for having contributed to the exercise. Following the suggestion by the BE delegation, the Committee agreed that a peer review of the Belgian RDI, using the self-assessment tool, would be launched. The Chair encouraged other countries to reflect as to whether they would be interested in launching a similar exercise. 1 The final version is set out in doc. ERAC 1204/1/11 REV 1. ERAC 1205/11 UM/nj 3
4.2 Indicator-based monitoring of IU The Commission presented the state of play regarding the two R&I Europe 2020 headline indicators: the R&D intensity target as well as the headline indicator on innovation 2. Regarding the R&D intensity target, it was noted that the EU is advancing towards the 3% goal, but the gap to its world competitors is growing. It is therefore important that the NRPs continue to focus their strategy to achieve the goal, along the three axes discussed during the Mutual Learning Exercise. Regarding the future integrated single headline innovation indicator, the Commission presented progress in its development. First data collection would be launched in March 2011. The Commission informed that Eurostat will contact national statistical offices to participate in the exercise on a voluntary basis and that it would be helpful if the interested ERAC members encouraged their statistical authorities to participate in the exercise already at this stage. The analysis of these interim results would be discussed in ERAC by the end of 2011. Second data collection would be launched in March 2012, based on a mandatory data collection on the basis of an amended Council/Parliament statistical regulation, with analysis and consultation with ERAC in mid-2012 (target date July). The Commission proposal regarding the indicator could be expected in October 2012. The Innovation Union Scoreboard (IUS) 2010 published on 1 February 2011 was also presented. The tool, listing 25 research and innovation indicators of which 12 are internationally comparable, aims to help monitoring the strengths and weaknesses of national systems. It was noted that the IUS confirms and even reinforces the "innovation emergency" and highlights the importance of National Reform Programmes addressing all dimensions of research and innovation through an adequate mix of policies. 2 The Conclusions of the European Council of 5 February 2011: " In this connection, the European Council noted the trends and developments revealed by the current Commission innovation scoreboard. It invited the Commission to quickly develop a single integrated indicator to allow a better monitoring of progress in innovation. It will keep developments concerning the above under review." (EUCO 2/11) ERAC 1205/11 UM/nj 4
Finally, the progress in the preparation of the Innovation Union Competitiveness Report 2011 was presented. It was confirmed that its content will be consistent with the scope presented in January 2010 3 and will notably allow to measure progress and impact of ERA as well as to provide cross-cutting analysis across the R&I domain. The Committee had an exchange of views addressing issues such as the number of the indicators, the correlation between them, the political aspect in setting them and the holistic approach required in the IU. The Chair concluded by noting the importance of indicators that are "fit for purpose" in order to create favourable conditions to complete the European Research Area (ERA). He noted that this topic would be included on the agenda of forthcoming ERAC meetings. 5. ERA policy 5.1. Preparation of the ERA Framework The Commission presented an outline for the preparation of the ERA Framework, announced in the Innovation Union Flagship Communication for 2012 to accelerate the completion of the ERA 4. The Framework should define the ERA, its overall objectives and fix its scope, setting out key principles to be abided by at Member State and at EU level. The Commission will follow the EU's Better Regulation Policy requirements. To prepare the impact assessment, along with compilation of detailed evidence and problem analysis, basic information will also be collected on existing and planned national legislation and soft law regulating research. ERAC delegates will be approached in this regard in due time. A stakeholder consultation will be launched in June 2011 and an ERAC Seminar with stakeholders has been scheduled for 21 June 2011. The discussion on ERAC advice is foreseen at the Committee's meeting in October, while the Commission proposal on the ERA Framework is expected to be adopted mid-2012. 3 4 Annex 3 of the meeting documents for the CREST/ERAC workshop of 20-21 January 2010. Conclusions of the European Council of 4 February 2011: "Europe needs a unified research area to attract talent and investment. Remaining gaps must therefore be addressed rapidly and the European Research Area completed by 2014 to create a genuine single market for knowledge, research and innovation." (EUCO 2/11) ERAC 1205/11 UM/nj 5
The Committee had a first exchange of views, in particular on the involvement of Member States, stakeholders, ERAC and ERA-related groups in the preparation phase of the Commission proposal. The Committee welcomed the opportunity to assist the Commission in providing basic information on national regulations and soft-law. The establishing of a checklist to identify possible ERA obstacles resulting from national policies and regulations was suggested. It was noted that the aim to complete the ERA by 2014 was highly ambitious, and that it was not clear on what basis such completion could be established. Issues related to definition of the ERA and the relevance of soft law and/or legislative acts were raised as well as the relation with the new reinforced research chapter in the Lisbon Treaty. The Chair stressed the need to start with a sound problem analysis identifying the key barriers to the completion of the ERA before identifying the instruments to be used. He concluded by noting that a more in-depth preliminary debate on the ERA Framework is foreseen at the Committee's next meeting on 28-29 April 2011 ahead of the launch of the public consultation in June. 5.2. Review of ERA-related groups The Rapporteur, Ms Jane Peters (UK), recalled that ERAC in December 2010 had agreed to initiate a review of the 4 "core" ERA-related groups 5. The Rapporteur presented an overview of responses and emerging themes, based on a questionnaire circulated to delegations on 22 December 2010. She noted the consensus in the responses that all the groups need to continue, though with revised mandates that take account of developments such as Innovation Union and the ERA Framework. 5 High Level Group for Joint Programming (GPC), Strategic Forum for International Cooperation (SFIC), ERA Working Group for Knowledge Transfer (WG KT) and the Steering Group for Human Resources and Mobility (SGHRM). ERAC 1205/11 UM/nj 6
The Committee had an exchange of views on the findings of the review, in particular focusing on the governance aspects, such as - interaction between the groups and between the groups and ERAC; - more harmonised working methods; - reporting lines: through ERAC or directly to the Council; - possible need for more coherent management approach: e.g. should Chairs be ERAC members; should all Groups have a Vice-Chair; - the use of subgroups and the balance between them and the plenary meetings. Issues related to the mandates of the Groups were also raised, e.g. how GPC could address the Grand Challenges and ensure priority-setting, as well as how to involve the European Strategy Forum on Research Infrastructures (ESFRI). The different legal basis of the four groups under review was highlighted during the discussion. The need to avoid too frequent reviews was also raised. The Committee agreed to the proposal that the groups would be invited to give their comments on the review, and asked the Steering Board to address the Chairs of the Groups with this request. Furthermore, the Groups should be encouraged already within their current mandates to focus their work to the IU and ERA Framework. The Committee would discuss its opinion on the review of the groups at its next meeting in April. The relations between the Groups and ERAC, including coherent reporting to the Council on ERA progress and the role of ERAC therein will then be important issues. Based on the outcome of that meeting, the Hungarian EU Presidency could consider including this item in the agenda of the Competitiveness Council meeting in May 2011. ERAC 1205/11 UM/nj 7
6. Any Other Business 6.1. ERAC advise on ERA-related instruments The Chair of the ad hoc working group on ERA-related instruments, Mr Dan Andrée, gave a status report regarding the work and timetable of the group. A questionnaire had been circulated to Member States and Observers on 19 November 2010 and the response was estimated to be very good both in quantity and in quality. As regards the timetable, the Committee was informed that the final report would be sent to ERAC with a view to a debate at the Committee's next meeting on 28-29 April 2011. 6.2. Agenda of the next meeting The Steering Board will draw up the provisional annotated agenda of the next meeting on 28-29 April 2011, to be submitted to the Committee after the agreement between the Chair and the Vice-Chair. Main items foreseen on the agenda (see also ERAC Provisional Work Programme): - ERA Framework - Review of ERA-related Groups - ERA-related Instruments - Synergies between EU funding and national programmes The SI delegate proposed that the Slovenian Peer Review should be added to the agenda of the next meeting. * * * - The PL delegate gave a brief presentation on the priority of Poland's EU Presidency: "Taking full advantage of Europe's intellectual capital". The Committee was informed of the PL intention to organise an ERA Ministerial Conference on 20 July 2011 back-to-back with the Informal Competitiveness Council on 21/22 July 2011 in Sopot (PL). The PL delegate recalled the contribution ERAC is expected to give to the preparation of this conference according to its mandate, and invited delegates to consider participating in the preparations. ERAC 1205/11 UM/nj 8