EU plan threatens British participation in hi-tech research – The Guardian
Britain will join China in being locked out of research with the EU on cutting-edge quantum technology, such as new breeds of supercomputers, due to security concerns under a European commission proposal opposed by academics and 19 member states.
At a meeting on Friday, commission officials said the EU needed to keep control of intellectual property on key projects and that working with even close allies such as the UK and Switzerland opened up an unacceptable risk.
Under the UKs trade and security deal with its former partners, the government retained the right to pay into and participate in the EUs Horizon Europe research programme, a seven-year, 95.5bn (82bn) funding scheme. But the commission has now decided to curtail the type of projects in which the UK will be able to take part under a draft proposal discussed with the member states on Friday.
Representatives from Germany, Belgium, Spain, Ireland, Italy and the Netherlands were among the 19 member states who voiced concerns over the plan driven by Thierry Breton, the French internal market commissioner, and backed by the French government, among others.
You cant just put the UK and Switzerland in the same box as China and Iran, said one concerned diplomat. If this is what Bretons idea of strategic autonomy looks like, were in for one rough ride. The commission is pulling the rug underneath fruitful collaborations; they need to stay on the carpet.
But commission officials rejected arguments about the importance of working with trusted partners, sources said. The UKs attempt to break international law over the Northern Ireland border was raised by the commission as an example of why there was a lack of trust.
The new eligibility rules proposed by the commission include restrictions on work on a range of sensitive areas such as quantum computers, described in the commissions draft text for its Horizon research funding scheme as an emerging technology of global strategic importance.
In order to achieve the expected outcomes, and safeguard the Unions strategic assets, interests, autonomy, or security, namely, participation is limited to legal entities established in member states, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein. Proposals including entities established in countries outside this scope will be ineligible, the draft says.
According to the draft text, the goal of the changes is to make independent European capacities in developing and producing quantum computing technologies of strategic importance for future computing capacities and applications in security and dual-use technologies.
The decision has also been criticised, however, by senior academic institutions. A letter from Thomas Hofmann, president of the Technical University of Munich, written on behalf of institutions in Switzerland, Denmark, Luxembourg, Israel and the Netherlands, warns of a negative impact on future research.
Opening the scientific borders for the countries outside of the European Union should go hand in hand with strengthening collaboration with our closest partners and not undermine it, Hoffman wrote to the Portuguese presidency of the EU. Cooperation with the aligned countries is vital for the competitiveness of the European Unions economy. The latest proposal by the European commission to exclude longstanding and trustful partner countries like Switzerland, Israel and the United Kingdom from parts of the research programme is not in the interest of Europes research community nor the wider society and could be damaging for the international cooperation.
Hoffman adds: We are deeply concerned that the exclusion of aligned European countries with a long record of cooperation and excellence in research and innovation from parts of the programme will have negative impacts on European institutions and their capability to develop key digital, enabling, and emerging technologies.
Discussions are expected to resume between the member states and the commission on 19 April.
Read the rest here:
EU plan threatens British participation in hi-tech research - The Guardian
- European Union accuses TikTok of breaching digital rules with lack of transparency on ads - AP News - May 15th, 2025 [May 15th, 2025]
- What should the European Union aim for in a trade deal with Trump? - Bruegel - May 15th, 2025 [May 15th, 2025]
- European Union accuses TikTok of breaching digital rules with lack of transparency on ads - Ottumwa Courier - May 15th, 2025 [May 15th, 2025]
- European Union election observation mission publishes its final report with 19 recommendations; genuine political will needed to reinforce democratic... - May 15th, 2025 [May 15th, 2025]
- Digital Anonymity in Danger! What is the European Union deciding? - Red Hot Cyber - May 15th, 2025 [May 15th, 2025]
- The European Union and the United States reach an agreement to enhance trade talks - - May 15th, 2025 [May 15th, 2025]
- EU and UK at loggerheads over fishing rights and youth mobility | European Union - The Guardian - May 15th, 2025 [May 15th, 2025]
- European Union agrees on 17th sanction package against Russia (VGK:NYSEARCA) - Seeking Alpha - May 14th, 2025 [May 14th, 2025]
- The European Union celebrates Europe Day 2025 with the exhibition Panama and Europe: routes that connect - EEAS - May 14th, 2025 [May 14th, 2025]
- European Union's Nails and Staples Market Expected to Grow at CAGR of +0.9% Over Next Decade - IndexBox - May 14th, 2025 [May 14th, 2025]
- Gavin Willsey reaches milestone at the Midwest Model European Union competition - Stephen F. Austin State University - May 10th, 2025 [May 10th, 2025]
- Europe Day NYC: Celebrating 75 years of the European Union, from vision to reality - EEAS - May 10th, 2025 [May 10th, 2025]
- Meet the MEP who wants to bring Canada into the European Union - Euronews.com - May 10th, 2025 [May 10th, 2025]
- European Union: The European Commission's action plan to drive innovation, sustainability and competitiveness in the automotive sector - Global... - May 10th, 2025 [May 10th, 2025]
- European Union launches $566 million drive to attract researchers scared off by Trump moves on science and universities - Fortune - May 10th, 2025 [May 10th, 2025]
- Georgians Risk Losing Their Visa-Free Travel Privileges To The European Union Amid Growing Tensions - Travel And Tour World - May 10th, 2025 [May 10th, 2025]
- The Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Korea Marking Europe Day 2025 under the Theme "Partnering for Peace and Security" -... - May 10th, 2025 [May 10th, 2025]
- 'We call on the European Union to endorse a confederation of the states of Israel and Palestine in one homeland' - Le Monde.fr - May 3rd, 2025 [May 3rd, 2025]
- The European Union does not plan to participate in the settlement of the conflict on Ukraine - EADaily - May 3rd, 2025 [May 3rd, 2025]
- European Union's Soybean Oil Market to Grow at a CAGR of +0.8% Over the Next Decade - IndexBox - May 3rd, 2025 [May 3rd, 2025]
- European Union's Methanol Market to Exhibit Slow Growth with CAGR of +0.2% through 2035 - IndexBox - May 3rd, 2025 [May 3rd, 2025]
- European Union's Alumina Market to Reach 7.1M Tons and $4.8B by 2035 - IndexBox - May 3rd, 2025 [May 3rd, 2025]
- European Union's Stranded Wire, Ropes and Cables Market to Reach 1.6M Tons and $6.6B by 2035 - IndexBox - May 3rd, 2025 [May 3rd, 2025]
- European Union's Frozen Potatoes Market to Witness Strong Growth with CAGR of +5.7% from 2024 to 2035 - IndexBox - May 3rd, 2025 [May 3rd, 2025]
- The European Union just issued a dire warning to its 450 million citizens: Stockpile supplies and prepare for disaster - Fortune - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- The European Union is preparing for war and is calling for emergency reserves in every home - CiberCuba - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- The European Union rejected Russias demand for a ceasefire in exchange for lifting sanctions - - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- Exclusive | European Union to slap Meta with fine up to $1B or more for breaching strict antitrust rules: sources - New York Post - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- Peter Rough sat down with Kaja Kallas, European Union high representative for foreign affairs and security policy and European Commission vice... - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- Court of Justice of the European Union: Member states representatives appoint thirteen judges to the General Court - consilium.europa.eu - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- When the European Union wants to get back to basics - Marketscreener.com - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- The European Union urges citizens to stockpile supplies to last 3 days in case of crisis - Goshen News - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- The European Union urges citizens to stockpile supplies to last 3 days in case of crisis - Oil City Derrick - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- European Union's Transmission Shafts and Cranks Market Expected to Slightly Increase with a CAGR of +0.3% over the Next Decade - IndexBox, Inc. - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- New European Union Plan To Boost Local Arms Production Would Freeze U.S. Out Of Billions - The War Zone - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- European Union's Roasted Coffee Market to See Continued Growth with +0.6% CAGR by 2035 - IndexBox, Inc. - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- EU Penalizes RPM And Other Vertical Conduct Violations - Cartels, Monopolies - European Union - Mondaq News Alerts - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- European Union's Toilet Paper Market to Reach $27.1B by 2035 with +0.5% CAGR - IndexBox, Inc. - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- European Union Delays Retaliatory Tariffs On U.S. ProductsIncluding Whiskey - Forbes - March 20th, 2025 [March 20th, 2025]
- ICC President visits Brussels, urges European Union to take immediate action to protect the Court - the International Criminal Court - March 20th, 2025 [March 20th, 2025]
- The European Sting is Your democratic, independent and top quality political newspaper specialized in European Union News. Unique Features: iSting... - March 20th, 2025 [March 20th, 2025]
- The Prime Minister of Slovakia supported Ukraine's integration into the European Union - Eurasia Daily - March 20th, 2025 [March 20th, 2025]
- Trump reacts to European Union slapping tariffs on U.S. goods - CBS News - March 13th, 2025 [March 13th, 2025]
- Rxulti approved in the European Union for adolescent schizophrenia - PharmaTimes - March 13th, 2025 [March 13th, 2025]
- European Union Responds With Tariffs on Soybeans, Other Ag Exports - DTN The Progressive Farmer - March 13th, 2025 [March 13th, 2025]
- European Union retaliates with tariffs on $28 billion U.S. products - RFD-TV - March 13th, 2025 [March 13th, 2025]
- Donald Trump threatens European Union with 200% tariffs on specific goods if they dont remove nasty tax - UNILAD - March 13th, 2025 [March 13th, 2025]
- Canada and the European Union announce retaliatory tariffs against the United States - KREM.com - March 13th, 2025 [March 13th, 2025]
- Commission decides to refer SPAIN to the Court of Justice of the European Union due to discriminatory tax treatment of non-resident taxpayers - The... - March 13th, 2025 [March 13th, 2025]
- European Union hits back with counter tariffs on US goods - USA TODAY - March 13th, 2025 [March 13th, 2025]
- Trade Wars: European Union Retaliates Against U.S. Tariffs on Steel and Aluminum - TipRanks - March 13th, 2025 [March 13th, 2025]
- Commission hosts event to gather input and expertise on upcoming European Water Resilience Strategy - European Union - March 7th, 2025 [March 7th, 2025]
- UNESCO and the European Union Promote Training in Creative Tourism in the Caribbean - UNESCO - March 7th, 2025 [March 7th, 2025]
- The Interests of the European Union and the United States Are Diverging - Modern Diplomacy - March 7th, 2025 [March 7th, 2025]
- Tunisia: Call for the European Union to send international observers to the so-called "conspiracy" trial - FIDH - March 7th, 2025 [March 7th, 2025]
- European Union Blasts Trump Tariff Threats as Starmer Visits White House - Newsweek - February 27th, 2025 [February 27th, 2025]
- Trump vows to slap 25% tariffs on the European Union - FRANCE 24 English - February 27th, 2025 [February 27th, 2025]
- Trump vows to impose 25% tariffs on imports from the European Union - The Associated Press - February 27th, 2025 [February 27th, 2025]
- Trump says tariff level will be 25% on European Union products - Le Monde - February 27th, 2025 [February 27th, 2025]
- EU reaffirms unwavering support to Ukraine on anniversary of invasion - European Union - February 27th, 2025 [February 27th, 2025]
- The European Union is financing a project to strengthen social protection for women in ten local communities in Bosnia and Herzegovina - EEAS - February 27th, 2025 [February 27th, 2025]
- Trump's reciprocal tariffs would hit these European Union products that Americans buy the hardest - CNBC - February 14th, 2025 [February 14th, 2025]
- European Union Says It Will Respond "Firmly, Immediately" To Trump's Tariffs - NDTV - February 14th, 2025 [February 14th, 2025]
- How the European Union could counter US tariffs - ING Think - February 14th, 2025 [February 14th, 2025]
- (Nemolizumab) Approved in the European Union for Moderate-to-Severe Atopic Dermatitis and Prurigo Nodularis - Business Wire - February 14th, 2025 [February 14th, 2025]
- European Union could ban the number 1 Catholic app in the world: Hallow - ZENIT - English - February 14th, 2025 [February 14th, 2025]
- Political contagion in Europe: can the European Union survive Trumpism? - Bruegel - January 19th, 2025 [January 19th, 2025]
- Bolstering the cybersecurity of the healthcare sector - European Union - January 19th, 2025 [January 19th, 2025]
- Medidatas Patient Experience Recognized as Sustainability Solution by the European Union, Paving the Way for Greener Clinical Trials - Dassault... - January 19th, 2025 [January 19th, 2025]
- European Union Special Representative for the Great Lakes Region, Johan Borgstam, makes first official visit to Tanzania - EEAS - January 19th, 2025 [January 19th, 2025]
- Indicating the way forward for sustainable European aviation - European Union - January 19th, 2025 [January 19th, 2025]
- UNHCR and the European Union join forces to provide lasting solutions for Afghan refugees and returnees - EEAS - January 19th, 2025 [January 19th, 2025]
- Irregular migration into the European Union fell sharply last year, border agency says - The Associated Press - January 19th, 2025 [January 19th, 2025]
- Poland Assumes the Presidency of the Council of the European Union - Kyiv Post - January 6th, 2025 [January 6th, 2025]
- Far From Ignorant: The European Union, Arms Exports and Israel - CounterPunch - January 3rd, 2025 [January 3rd, 2025]
- Major changes in the European Union - summary of 2024: everything you need to know in 2025 - Visit Ukraine - January 3rd, 2025 [January 3rd, 2025]
- Hungary's controversial presidency of the Council of the European Union comes to an end - Euronews - January 1st, 2025 [January 1st, 2025]
- 30 years together: Austria, Finland and Sweden in the EU - European Union - January 1st, 2025 [January 1st, 2025]
- AI and Employee Data Protection in the European Union: 8 Key Takeaways for Multinational Businesses - JD Supra - January 1st, 2025 [January 1st, 2025]
- Pro-European Union Protests in Georgia Continue into New Years Eve - AL24 News - January 1st, 2025 [January 1st, 2025]