Brussels at the table in EU innovation talks
In July 2026, the informal Competitiveness Council (Research) brought together EU ministers responsible for research and innovation in Dublin. Belgium was represented by the Brussels-Capital Region, through the Belgian delegation led by Marie-Carmen Bex, Deputy Director General of Innoviris.
The informal Competitiveness Council (Research), held in Dublin on 21 July 2026 – © European Union
Under the bhg.common.external_link_warningIrish Presidency of the Council of the European Union (EU), ministers responsible for research and innovation, accompanied by their national delegations, bhg.common.external_link_warningmet in Dublin on 21 July 2026 for an informal Council.
The meeting was chaired by James Lawless, Irish Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science. It brought together numerous research and innovation ministers from EU Member States and associated countries, as well as representatives of the bhg.common.external_link_warningEuropean Commission, including bhg.common.external_link_warningEkaterina Zaharieva, European Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation.
Although Belgium was not represented at ministerial level, the Brussels-Capital Region (BCR) played a leading role within the Belgian delegation, with Marie-Carmen Bex, Deputy Director General of bhg.common.external_link_warningInnoviris, representing Belgium in the discussions.
Supporting Europe’s competitiveness, security and prosperity
Informal meetings of the Competitiveness Council (Research) give Member States the opportunity to hold strategic debates outside the framework of formal legislative negotiations and to set the future priorities of bhg.common.external_link_warningEU research and innovation policy.
The meeting of 21 July 2026 focused in particular on ways to maximise the contribution of bhg.common.external_link_warningresearch and innovation to Europe’s bhg.common.external_link_warningcompetitiveness, security and prosperity. Discussions covered, among other things, strengthening the bhg.common.external_link_warningEuropean Research Area, improving Europe’s innovation performance and creating a genuine single market for knowledge, research and innovation.
Spotlight on the European Innovation Act
The upcoming bhg.common.external_link_warningEuropean Innovation Act was at the heart of the debate. Through this initiative, the European Commission aims to better support innovative companies as they move from research to market. Its priority areas include better valorisation of intellectual property, innovation procurement and a stronger European innovation ecosystem.
The discussions in Dublin clearly showed that many Member States recognise the importance of a stronger EU innovation policy, while raising questions about the practical implementation of the proposed measures. Key topics included the role of innovation procurement, support for startups and scale-ups, and the valorisation of research results.
Marie-Carmen Bex, Deputy Director General of Innoviris, alongside James Lawless, Irish Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, at the informal Research Council in Dublin – © European Union
Showcasing Brussels expertise
Through Innoviris, the BCR has for many years supported researchers, companies and research institutes in developing innovative projects and in taking part in EU programmes such as bhg.common.external_link_warningHorizon Europe.
This European meeting therefore provided an opportunity to highlight Brussels’ expertise in research and innovation. The presence of Marie-Carmen Bex, Deputy Director General of Innoviris, in the Belgian delegation also illustrated Brussels’ contribution to the Belgian and European innovation ecosystem.
Finally, in addition to showcasing Brussels expertise in discussions on the future of EU innovation policy, the exchanges provided a valuable opportunity to strengthen ties with European partners and other Member States.