Draft Report of the Expert Group on International STI Cooperation to ...

• Enable EU and MS to tackle global challenges;
• Support external policies
This section in <strong>the</strong> report highlights <strong>the</strong>se aspects <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> ERA as <strong>the</strong> major context for an
international strategy for international cooperation in STI.
Integrate <strong>the</strong> external dimension <strong>of</strong> ERA
The external dimension <strong>of</strong> ERA is important for its success. The speed <strong>of</strong> globalisation and
internationalisation <strong>of</strong> STI, as well as <strong>the</strong> importance <strong>of</strong> enhancing Europe as a region <strong>of</strong>
attractiveness to conduct STI underpins <strong>the</strong> urgency and importance for ERA’s external
dimension. Therefore, ERA’s external dimension cannot be an add-on, but should be
integrated as a horizontal priority across ERA.
The coming EU Framework Programme H2020 to be launched in 2014, will likely have
general opening as a basic principle. The EG wants to address two key issues in this context.
First, <strong>the</strong> H2020 should be a facilitator and driver in ERA’s external dimension, providing
momentum, direction and synergy, including appropriate links with ERA activities through
<strong>the</strong> “Grand Challenges” block <strong>of</strong> H2020. Second, <strong>the</strong> bilateral activities <strong>of</strong> MS should be
brought into <strong>the</strong> external dimension <strong>of</strong> ERA through frameworks for mutual opening and
joint programmes with 3 rd countries/partners, also linked to grand challenges.
A balance between cooperation and competition in a strategic framework
The external dimension <strong>of</strong> ERA should be operationalized in a strategic framework that takes
EU level interests and synergies as a starting point. The framework should clarify in which
cases a joint or common strategy is warranted vis-á-vis looser forms <strong>of</strong> coordination such as
policy harmonization, consultation and information exchange. The EG sees <strong>the</strong> balance <strong>of</strong>
cooperation with competition among European partners as a key consideration. An ERA
strategic framework should ensure that those objectives and activities that require EU level
actions are in fact included, while MS or regional level objectives and activities are left to
MS/AC. These are competitive arenas that are key to <strong>the</strong> functioning <strong>of</strong> ERA, and underpin
<strong>the</strong> dynamism that MS/AC can bring to a concerted effort for cooperation with 3 rd countries
or o<strong>the</strong>r global settings. Joint or coordinated action should be given priority in areas where
national contributions are too small to have impact or where critical mass on EU level is
needed, whereas competition and competitive arenas should be retained and stimulated
between research and innovation performers.
The external dimension <strong>of</strong> ERA will need to address how it can support and enhance <strong>the</strong>
competitiveness and improve opportunities for European industry and business in general.
For industry, appropriate framework conditions are more important than public cooperation
programmes in S&T. Cooperation with 3 rd countries are key to establish platforms for
technological solutions, standards and market access. These issues will be thoroughly
discussed in <strong>the</strong> later section on industry and innovation.
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