LERU welcomes dialogue on advice and EFSI
The League of European Research Universities (LERU) has welcomed the move by the European Commission President to exchange views with world-leading scientists on scientific support for EU policy development and the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI).
On Wednesday, Jean-Claude Juncker, together with European Commissioner for Research, Science and Innovation, Carlos Moedas, and European Commission Vice-President for Jobs, Growth, Investment and Competitiveness, Jyrki Katainen met with leading European scientists to consider how the continent can remain a centre for scientific excellence. They discussed a new instrument for scientific advice and the Commission also sought to reassure concerns regarding the planned EFSI.
Following proposals put forward by Moedas, LERU said it was pleased that the Commission would support the development of a new ‘Scientific Advice Mechanism’, aiming for an integrated approach to science-based EU policy making. The association says it welcomes the move by the Commission to appoint a high-level group of scientists that will forge links with organisations with a proven track record of scientific expertise. LERU adds that it hopes this new impulse will finally succeed in putting to bed a difficult discussion, following the move not to renew the position of the Chief Scientific Advisor.
Commenting, Professor Kurt Deketelaere, secretary-general of LERU, said: “An open and continuous dialogue between the scientific community and the EU policy makers is absolutely crucial and necessary. An important step has been made today. It will hopefully be followed by many others, so that society at large can fully benefit from the research it is, wisely and correctly, funding.”
The association also said it welcomed and appreciated the discussions regarding how the impact of EFSI on the EU R&I budget can be minimised and how a real multiplier effect of resources for research and innovation can be created.
LERU is an association of 21 leading research-intensive universities that share the values of high quality teaching within an environment of internationally competitive research.
