EU presidencies aiming to tie up loose ends of research area

Portugal and Slovenia outlined their plans for the European Research Area in 2021

The two upcoming presidencies of the Council of the EU—Portugal and Slovenia—have said they will maintain the bloc’s focus on defining the European Research Area initiative for enabling the free flow of knowledge and researchers when their terms begin in January and July 2021, respectively.

Presidencies coordinate the EU-related activities of member state governments on a rotating six-month basis. The current German presidency, which took over the role on 1 July, has been working with the European Commission on updated plans for the ERA, which are expected to be published at the end of September.