Enhanced dialogue in Spain

Marc Lemaitre, Director-General for Research and Innovation, and his colleagues, Anna Panagopoulou and Julien Guerrier, Directors in DG R&I, met on 11 May in Madrid with Raquel Yotti and Teresa Riesgo, Secretaries General for Research and for Innovation in Spain, to discuss about the current status of both Spanish and European R&I policies. The meeting is part of the Enhanced Dialogues between DG R&I and Member States, which are channels of cooperation for the design and the implementation of a joint EU R&I agenda.

The discussion in Madrid, hosted by the Ministry of Science & Innovation, covered a selected range of topics: Synergies between Horizon Europe and Cohesion Funds, the new European R&I Policy framework, that covered the ERA Policy Agenda and the action plan for the implementation of a New European Innovation Agenda, R&I for future challenges, such as the next formwork programme, and finally Horizon Europe Partnerships, current and future.

Participation included an impressive mobilisation of representatives from the different Ministries, R&I funding and performing organisations, and key R&I stakeholders. The State Agency for Research (AEI) and the Centre for the Development of Industrial Technology and Innovation (CDTI Innovation), as well as other key R&I stakeholders, such as the Spanish Council for Research (CSIC), the Carlos III Health Institute (ISCIII), the Centre for Energy, Environment and Technology Research (CIEMAT) and the Spanish Foundation for S&T (FECYT) were present.

Every session began with concise presentations, setting the stage for lively discussions, the exchange of perspectives, and the generation of practical ideas for subsequent actions. Both parties expressed their contentment with the openness and depth of the exchanges. As this initial discussion covered various topics, it was mutually agreed to promptly organise follow-up technical meetings, specifically focusing on further enhancing R&I to tackle future challenges. This first dialogue clearly set up an excellent framework for more in-depth discussion.

Finally, this was a great opportunity to exchange views, especially in light of the upcoming Spanish Presidency of the European Union next semester.

Background

Enhanced dialogues with EU countries are a new, bottom-up channel of cooperation with the European Commission. The goal of these dialogues is to create a country-tailored approach to foster research and innovation in the participating EU country. They are organised on a voluntary basis and built around topics depending on the interests of the country.

Spain is the 8^th Member State to take part in an Enhanced Dialogue.

More information

Enhanced dialogue with EU countries