Strengthening research and innovation as key drivers of Europe’s competitiveness, resilience, and strategic autonomy, was the focus of the Informal Competitiveness Council for Research was held virtually on 31 March 2026, under the chairmanship of the Deputy Minister of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy of the Republic of Cyprus, Dr. Nicodemos Damianou, with the participation of the European Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation, Ekaterina Zaharieva.