Brussels, 10 September 2015
114th PLENARY SESSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS
TUESDAY 13 AND WEDNESDAY 14 OCTOBER 2015
ITEM 2 – APPENDIX 4
MINUTES OF THE 113th PLENARY SESSION
OF THE EUROPEAN COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS
STATEMENT BY CARLOS MOEDAS,
COMMISSIONER FOR RESEARCH, SCIENCE AND INNOVATION
COR-2015-3206-03-00-PV-REF
…/…
-1Statement by Carlos Moedas,
Commissioner for research, science and innovation
The president of the European Committee of the Regions (CoR), Markku Markkula, welcomed
Carlos Moedas, the Commissioner for research, science and innovation, and recalled the EU's
priorities on research and innovation. He pointed out the importance of open innovation and open
technologies for regions and cities and underlined the need to establish synergies between Horizon
2020 and the Structural and Investment Funds. He expressed the CoR's support for the European
Capital of Innovation award, and underlined the role of local and regional authorities in innovation
and research.
Mr Moedas began his speech by explaining that in the future cities would be more and more
populated, engendering a demand for more housing and services. Cities would have to respond to the
needs of the new citizens without increasing the burden on the environment, and therefore innovation
was essential. In particular, Mr Moedas stressed the importance of building "innovation ecosystems"
which would connect citizens, public organisations, academia and business. As a response to these
challenges and as an example of innovative solutions, the Commissioner presented the European
Capital of Innovation award, a competition in which cities were invited to present their projects for
the development of urban areas considered as an ecosystem, and not addressing sectoral issues.
Finally, he underlined the fact that local authorities would be at the centre of research and innovation
activities thanks to better cooperation between Horizon 2020 and the European Structural and
Investment Funds.
Alin Adrian Nica (RO/EPP) stressed the fact that a competitive European economy should be based
on innovation, which should support SMEs and start-ups. He supported smart specialisation, which
would bring added value to the European economy, and called for a focus on translating research
results into the market.
Yoomi Renström (SE/PES) remarked that research and development resources invested at regional
level were important for tackling the digital gap in Europe. She pointed out the need to create
synergies between the different funds in order to meet the objectives of Europe 2020, and called for
long term investments.
Dainis Turlais (LV/ALDE) stressed the fact that research and innovation should be the basis for
creating growth, and focused on the role of the public sector.
Kieran McCarthy (IE/EA) pointed out that the European Commission, the CoR and local and
regional authorities should work together and with the citizens. He called for a comprehensive
strategy for investments and urged that social sciences and cultural heritage not be overlooked.
Gordon Keymer (UK/ECR) called for innovation to be streamlined in all policy areas, and warned
about the difference between regions. He underlined the potential of the blue economy for regional
growth and called for work to be carried out on technological solutions to tackle carbon emissions.
COR-2015-3206-03-00-PV-REF
…/…
-2-
Mr Moedas pointed out that innovation was not only about technology, but also concerned
organisation and other elements that can allow innovation to be transferred to the markets. He stressed
that innovation came from diversity, which was one of Europe's assets, and from the intersection
between different disciplines, which can be found in cities. He introduced the "seal of excellence"
concept, which would permit collaboration between Horizon 2020 and the Structural Funds. He
expressed the wish to work closely with CoR members and pointed out the importance of listening to
users. Finally, he discussed the potential of the blue economy, especially concerning ocean energy,
seabed mining and marine biotech.
Christian Buchmann (AT/EPP) called for the development of a new mentality, more open to
innovation. He pointed out the need for more coordination between stakeholders including industry,
business, business incubators and scientific institutes. He raised the question of the funding and
efficiency of the instruments for research and development.
Kevin Peel (UK/PES) asked for a better alignment of policies and investments.
Doreen Huddart (UK/ALDE) raised the issue of pollution and the disposal of asbestos.
José Luís Carneiro (PT/PES) stressed the need to look at local communities as a whole in terms of
development, focusing on the importance of local resources and being more ambitious in innovation.
Mr Moedas explained that the strategy for research had four priority sectors: agro-industrial, water,
energy and health. He stressed the importance of opening up Horizon 2020 to new participants and
SMEs, in particular through simplification. He mentioned that the companies should grow together in
terms of productivity, thanks to the diffusion of innovation and finally gave some examples of
projects concerning the disposal of asbestos.
The president summarised the debate, underlining the role of regions and cities.
*****************
COR-2015-3206-03-00-PV-REF