The five want more investment in R&D and a new technology strategy. But with political stalemate in Spain following the election on Sunday, a push by the Spanish presidency of the EU Council to make progress on strategic autonomy could stall 

The EU’s concerns about economic security are legitimate, but protective measures must be proportionate and precise to ensure they respond to the actual risks. There should not be blanket bans on international research cooperation  

It’s likely the Commission will dip into the research programme’s budget for its new sovereignty fund – and this won’t be the first time money has been diverted to other causes. Flexibility to respond to changing circumstances is important, but when is enough, enough?

Rising inflation, higher interest rates and a decoupling of ecosystems due to unstable geopolitics caused global investment in start-ups to plummet in the past year

Governments are walking a thin line between naivete and protectionism in the fight against technology espionage and the theft of intellectual property. A recent edict in Sweden illustrates how this is threatening academic freedom

Barriers being put up by the US, China and the EU could hinder scientific progress at a time when it is most urgently needed, according to OECD’s latest report on the global R&D outlook

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s visit to the US results in agreement to a ‘transparency dialogue’ over incentives given to the clean tech industry, in a move to prevent huge US subsidies luring companies from Europe

Open strategic autonomy will be one of Spain’s priorities when it takes up the EU presidency in July. The aim will be to define a strategy for the EU to end its dependency on imports of strategic technologies and resources

The move mirrors similar strategies announced by the US and governments in Europe since Russia invaded Ukraine

The fund is a signature project by which Commission president Ursula von der Leyen aims to underpin EU technology prowess. But a leading MEP from the European People’s Party thinks there is plenty of money already and it needs to be better spent