RESEARCH : LEADERS RECOGNISE NEED FOR MORE HUMAN RESOURCES FOR R&D.

• Position: Brief article

EU leaders emphasised the need to act to increase the number of people working in science and technology in Europe, in conclusions agreed at the December European Council.

The conclusions note, in particular, the need to make Europe more attractive to highly qualified scientists. The leaders give firm support to conclusions, adopted at the Competitiveness Council on 22-23 November, which call on the European Commission to present an overall plan for removing existing barriers to the mobility of researchers within the EU.

Support is also given to a resolution adopted, at the same Competitiveness Council meeting, on the need to modernise Europe's universities. This stated that member states should undertake the necessary reforms so that universities have the independence to "modernise their curricula to meet labour market and learner needs more effectively". It also noted that the European Commission and member states should work to...