Report from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council. Annual report on research and technological development activities of the European Union in 2012

The Annual Report on research and technological development activities of the European Union is prepared pursuant to Article 190 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU). The purpose of this report is to provide a concise overview of key measures in the reporting year without being exhaustive. Although formally not within the scope of this Report, some information related to the Euratom Treaty has been included.

The European Union’s strategy for growth and jobs, Europe 2020, is the mainstay of the Union’s approach in 2012 to structural reforms and improving competitiveness. The priorities for action in 2012 were highlighted in the Annual Growth Survey 2012.

The year started in difficult circumstances. There was declining confidence in the euro, economic growth was ebbing away and most importantly the belief of our citizens in Europe’s capacity to fix its problems stood at an all-time low. The European Union continued to combat the crisis. The Commission's proposal for a blueprint on how to complete economic and monetary union laid out a long-term vision as well as the concrete steps that need to be taken in the short and the medium term.

The Commission identified that a change was needed in how Europe’s economy operates – a change that would release the many strengths Europe can bring to bear on tomorrow’s economy of high innovation, knowledge and skills. This is why Europe 2020 places research, technology and innovation at the forefront of activities designed to help Europe exit the current economic crisis and build smart, sustainable and inclusive growth. There is untapped potential for the European economy to be more innovative, productive and competitive whilst using fewer resources and reducing environmental impact.

The Commission announced the final and biggest ever set of calls for proposals under its Seventh Framework Programme (FP7). The funding - which is open to organisations and businesses in all EU Member States and partner countries - makes up the lion’s share of the EU’s proposed €10.8 billion research budget for 2013. This announcement came just days after EU leaders emphasised the importance of research and innovation in the Compact for Growth and Jobs as an integral part of the European Union's response to the economic and financial crisis.

EUR-Lex: COM(2013)713: Follow the progress of this report through the decision-making procedure http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/HIS/?uri=COM:2013:713:FIN

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