Towards open access to scientific information in the European Union

The European Union is committed to open science, ensuring that all investigations carried out in its territory are available without any technical, legal or financial restriction as agreed in the Competitiveness Council that took place on May 27^th in Brussels and attended by the ministers of Industry, Competitiveness and Research of the EU.

According to the general principles of Horizon 2020 Program, which guarantee open access to scientific publications and to the data resulting from the research financed with public funds in the EU, there is a recognition that open science is not only an opportunity to improve the quality and benefits of science itself; it also contributes to the progress, efficiency and reliability of the common European knowledge.

Thus, through the Council, ministers committed their governments to implement an action plan within the next four years. In the transition to an open system of scientific results, member states and stakeholders are asked to take appropriate measures to ensure that open science is a reality at national level and to defend the program in the European and international forums.

Chaired by the Secretary of Education, Culture and Science of the Netherlands, Sander Dekker, European ministers decided unanimously to take appropriate action to ensure that all scientific publications from 2020 are open and accessible, except for those data that should be restricted for safety or privacy purposes.

Thanks to this decision, not only the re-use of scientific information will be possible, but the member states are also calling on the research world to no longer judge scientists and researchers only on the number of publications, but more attention should be paid to the societal impact of their work.

Additionally, to boost the European economy and make the EU more attractive for foreign start-ups and businesses, member states are looking into introducing a unique European visa for foreign start-up founders so that they will not have to apply for a separate visa in each member state.

The Commission Communication on May 6^th recognized the importance of science and research to drive innovation, while aiming at improving the conditions of science-based data. Promoting growth and innovation by re-using scientific results provides a more favourable environment for investment and new business. For these reasons, governments, businesses and institutions are working together to eliminate legal, organizational and economic barriers to access to scientific results and innovation, achieving an optimum level of knowledge sharing in Europe.