Broad-based innovation strategy for Europe: Commission's 10 point programme

At their 2006 Spring Summit meeting, European Heads of State and Government called on the Commission to present “a broad based innovation strategy for Europe that translates investments in knowledge into products and services”. Today, the Commission has tabled a 10 point programme for action at national and European levels to foster innovation as a main asset of the EU economy.

The ten high priority actions are the following:
· Establish innovation–friendly education systems;
· Establishment of a European institute of Technology;
· Work towards a single labour market for Researchers;
· Strengthen research-industry links;
· Foster regional innovation through the new cohesion policy programmes;
· Reform R&D and innovation State aid rules and provide better guidance for R&D tax incentives;
· Enhance intellectual property rights protection (IPR);
· Digital products and services - initiative on copyright levies; and 
· Develop a strategy for innovation friendly 'lead-markets'.

Commission Vice-President Günter Verheugen, responsible for enterprise and industry policy, said, “Structural change must not be seen as a threat, but as an opportunity to become more competitive. Europe needs to become a truly knowledge-based and innovation-friendly society, where innovation is not feared but welcomed, is not hindered but encouraged; where it is part of our society’s core values and seen to work for the benefit of all citizens.”

The Commission calls upon Member States to make the structural reforms necessary to deliver the results required and it underlines that Europe does not need new commitments from Member States but political leadership and decisive action.

Further information: www.europe-innova.org