EU Council adopts new science diplomacy framework

The Council of the European Union has adopted a framework for science diplomacy, aiming to "strengthen the Union’s position as a global leader in science and technology, and to use scientific cooperation to advance its foreign policy objectives".

On 29/05/2026, the Council stressed that "science is a global public good and scientific collaboration can build trust and facilitate dialogue with third countries". The recommendation notably builds on the association of third countries to Horizon Europe and other initiatives, such as Choose Europe for Science, aiming to attract international researchers to the EU.

"In an era defined by geopolitical fragmentation and rapid technological change, science diplomacy is no longer a peripheral endeavour - it is a core strategic imperative," Nicodemos Damianou, Cyprus's deputy minister for research, innovation and digital policy, declared, heading the Council.

The recommendation calls for:
• maximising the impact of science diplomacy in terms of safeguarding and promoting the Union’s values, including freedom, democracy, equality, rule of law and…