Estonian Prime Minister Jüri Ratas has called upon the EU to issue a ‘Call for Action’ for more investment, bigger impact and more trust in science in the next EU research programme.

Ratas used his country’s Presidency of the European Union to call for other states to boost spending and support for research and innovation.

Speaking at a conference for delegates in the Estonian capital, Tallinn, Ratas said: “Investing in research and innovation is not a luxury, but a necessity. Europe will not become a leader if investments are cut or stagnate.”

He also confirmed an 11% rise in his own country’s 2018 budget for research, reflecting Estonia’s big ambitions on digital research.

His comments came after a call for action to other EU members to agree on an increased budget for the next research framework programme.

Debates are already well advanced in Brussels over the next one, with growing concern among research advocates that they may face budget cuts after the UK’s departure from the bloc.

The document calls for both the EU and national governments to increase expenditure in research if they want to make breakthrough advances.

‘The EU remains far from achieving its 3 per cent target on R&I investments that was set already in 2000. There is an urgent need for renewed political commitment towards this ambition,’ the document says.

Estonia’s presidency – labelled the ‘Digital Presidency’ – has made digital research and innovation a priority of its tenure.