On 1 July 2020, Germany has officially taken over the Presidency of the Council of the European Union from Croatia. The COVID-19 pandemic and its recovery plan are at the heart of the 6-months Presidency of Germany, as its motto indicates: ‘Together for Europe’s recovery.’ Hence, research and innovation are put at the forefront of the Germany’s strategic agenda.

In view of the current global health crisis, the German Presidency announced supporting European research and its scientific community by enhancing online platforms and open access.

European research and development play a key role in the prevention of and efforts to overcome healthcare crises. We are therefore committed to making the European Research Area even more dynamic and targeted in a spirit of solidarity with respect to tackling the pandemic. Moreover, we want to discuss how the EU ERAvsCorona Action Plan can be further developed.

– Programme for Germany’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union,
I. Europe’s response to COVID-19 pandemic, p.6.

Although the COVID-19 pandemic is at the heart of Germany’s strategy agenda, its representatives will not forget to tackle environmental issues by implementing sustainable solutions in Europe. The German Presidency would like to provide guidance for the EU Strategy on Sustainable and Smart Mobility. Moreover, Germany presented itself as a strong advocate of the European Green Deal. Germany indicated in its agenda its ambition to strengthen international cooperation in research and education areas to successfully implement the European Green Deal. On top of developing open online platforms, supporting green hydrogen initiatives, and further developing civic participation are part of Germany’s Green Deal action plan for Europe.

In the second semester of 2020, the German Presidency of the Council of the EU will also support the Commission’s Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan and will work on digital application to cancer treatments, as well as on advancing cancer treatment and prevention.

You can read the full programme here.

Germany’s Presidency will last until 31 December 2020.

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For more information, you can visit the German Presidency of the Council of the European Union website.