EU declaration on global research ties underwhelms

University group leaders brand Marseille Declaration soft on Russia and just “words, words, words”

A declaration on how the EU should undertake international collaboration on research while promoting the bloc’s values has left leaders of university groups underwhelmed—particularly in light of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Thomas Jørgensen, senior policy coordinator at the European University Association, described the Marseille Declaration—presented on 8 March by the French presidency of the Council of the EU on behalf of member states—as “mostly a reiteration of all the different discourses concerning international cooperation”.