Outcomes of the September Competitiveness Council meeting

EU ministers discussed the new Horizon Europe (2028–2034) in the context of dual use, security, defense, and new strategies.

On 30 September 2025, the Competitiveness Council met in Brussels. EU ministers responsible for research held a policy debate on the new Multiannual Financial Framework package in the context of the Horizon Europe programme for the period 2028–2034, focusing on research and innovation in the EU in the areas of dual-use, security and defence. The current geopolitical situation calls on Europe to strengthen its resilience and consolidate its key position in the technological field.

The ministers discussed how research and innovation in the EU can better support technologies with potential for both civilian and defence applications, while also contributing to Europe’s priorities in the fields of security and defence. In this context, the Danish Presidency highlighted the issues of handling sensitive data and cooperation with third countries, including security aspects that need to be carefully considered before proposing the inclusion of dual-use research.

At the meeting, the Council also adopted two sets of conclusions: the first on the role of research and innovation in the EU’s strategy for startups and scaleups, and the second calling for further action in the field of life sciences.

The first set of Council conclusions underlines the strategic role of research and innovation in supporting the EU’s startup and scaleup ecosystem. It builds on the EU strategy for startups and scaleups “Choose Europe to Start and Scale” and emphasises the need for stronger links between cutting-edge research, innovation ecosystems, and access to finance, especially for startups based on deep-tech technologies and science.

The second set of Council conclusions calls for targeted measures in the field of life sciences and acknowledges their growing role in addressing global challenges, ensuring industrial competitiveness, and strengthening Europe’s strategic autonomy. The conclusions highlight the importance of a coordinated policy approach across research and innovation, industrial policy, healthcare systems, and skills development in order to fully harness the potential of life sciences.

Under the item “Any other business”, ministers were informed by Commissioner Ekaterina Zaharieva about the 2025 Annual Report on Simplification, Implementation and Enforcement. She also presented the recently published Strategy for Research and Technology Infrastructures, adopted by the Commission on 15 September 2025.

The next formal meeting of the Competitiveness Council will take place on 9 December 2025 in Brussels.