The Commission Welcomes the Approval of the Pact for Research and Innovation and the Future Governance of the European Research Area

The Council of the European Union has adopted a recommendation on the “Pact for Research and Innovation in Europe” (R Pact), as well as its conclusions on the future governance of the European Research Area.
The R Pact defines common values and principles for research and innovation in Europe, such as the freedom of scientific research and the free movement of researchers and knowledge. It also outlines 16 common priority areas for joint action, covering, among others, the promotion of open science, faster exchange of knowledge and data, and the enhancement of scientific excellence in the European Union, with the participation of all European regions and all European citizens.
The R Pact confirms Europe’s ambition to implement reforms to support research and innovation and lays the foundation for simplified coordination with member states and an updated monitoring mechanism to assess progress. The new governance of the European Research Area (ERA) will improve the current structure, allowing for closer cooperation and policy coordination across the EU and its member states. The aim of the European Research Area is to create a single EU market for research, innovation, and technology. The ERA encourages the free movement of researchers and knowledge and contributes to the alignment of national research policies and programs. The priority areas for action defined in the Pact create a stable framework for updates to the common ERA policy agenda for the period after 2024.