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Research and innovation are important contributors to European competitiveness and employment. As the holder of the Presidency, Latvia will ensure that the Council focuses on the development of the European Research Area (ERA) through the ERA Roadmap and improved ERA governance. A functioning research area will attract talent and investments to Europe and will contribute to economic growth.
The mid-term review of the Europe 2020 Strategy, to which the Latvian Presidency gives considerable importance, will showcase the success of Innovation Union in building a momentum around innovation, mobilising stakeholders and mainstreaming innovation in key European, national and regional policies. To attract long-term private investments and build a sustainable cooperation between the industry and research, the priority of the Latvian Presidency is to strengthen the link between the Innovation Union and the European Research Area.
Unlocking the EU's digital potential is high on the Presidency's agenda. "Data is at the centre of the future knowledge economy and society", Ms Mārīte Seile noted, "We need to bring forward the big and open data through a policy debate and reflect it in the Council conclusions."
In search for new opportunities to scientific and technological research, the work programme also focuses on the Science 2.0 debate – a more open, data-driven and people-focused way of conducting research. The Latvian Presidency is ready to look into the new dynamics of science and research enabled by digital technologies and driven by the globalisation of the scientific community.
