1. 1 From R&D to competitiveness: the way forward Waldemar Kütt Research Directorate General European Commission

2. 2 Community research: the legal base EC Treaty: Article 163 1. The Community shall have the objective of strengthening the scientific and technological bases of Community industry and encouraging it to become more competitive at international level, ….. 2.For this purpose the Community shall, throughout the Community, encourage undertakings, including SMEs, research centres and universities in their R&D activities of high quality; it shall support their efforts to cooperate with one another, …. through the opening-up of national public contracts, the definition of common standards and the removal of legal and fiscal obstacles to that cooperation.

3. 3 Role of Technology Platforms A common VISION for the technology concerned. Definition of a STRATEGIC RESEARCH AGENDA. Implementation of the STRATEGIC RESEARCH AGENDA. ?? Input to EU Innovation strategy (cooperation of ETPs on cross-cutting issues, such as standards)

4. 4 Presidency Conclusions Brussels European Council 20/21 March 2003 Encouraged Commission to support European Research and Innovation Area by – creating European Technology Platforms bringing together technological know-how, industry, regulators and financial institutions to develop a strategic agenda for leading technologies,.. European Technology Platforms

5. 5 Technology Platforms: The way forward FP7 is one building block of the SRA (JTI, cooperative research, coordination actions, ERA-NETs, fellowships, …..) Important to mobilise other sources of finance to implement SRA (national or regional, EIB, etc.) Monitor SRA implementation, identify gaps, measure success Engage in activities important for translating R&D investments into products and services (lead markets)

6. 6 Better balance between supply- and demand- side policy measures: Mutually reinforcing measures Coherence & co-evolution of investment in technologies and improvement of business environment Combine as appropriate market regulation, standardisation, public procurement and IPR Act more proactively and systematically: anticipate markets rather than responding to them Lead Markets