Luxembourg Engages with European Commission on Horizon Europe & AI Strategy

On Monday 24 November 2025, Luxembourg Minister for Research and Higher Education, Stéphanie Obertin, welcomed Ekaterina Zaharieva, European Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation, for an in-depth exchange on key European and national priorities relating to research, innovation and advanced technologies.

According to Luxembourg’s Ministry of Research and Higher Education, the minister and the commissioner discussed the progress of negotiations on the next Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (FP10), which will continue to be known as Horizon Europe and has been allocated a proposed budget of €175 billion by the European Commission – almost double that of the current programme.

The ministry reported that Minister Obertin welcomed the continuation of an autonomous framework programme with a well-defined structure and a highly ambitious budget, as well as the Commission’s intention to maintain its focus on scientific excellence and to strengthen proven instruments such as the European Research Council (ERC) and the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions.

The meeting also provided an opportunity to discuss European initiatives in the field of artificial intelligence. In this context, Minister Obertin recalled that the government adopted an integrated national approach to artificial intelligence (AI), data and quantum technologies in May 2024. She reiterated that the national research and innovation strategy – in which AI already plays a central role – is currently being updated to reflect priorities across these three strategic areas.

Commissioner Zaharieva welcomed Luxembourg’s support for an ambitious Horizon Europe programme grounded in excellence across all sectors. She provided initial explanations regarding the digital package recently published by the European Commission, including the “omnibus” set of digital measures designed to simplify rules relating to artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and data. She also highlighted the importance of both public and private investment in research and development, including in dual-use technologies and physical infrastructure such as AI factories. The ministry noted that, beyond enhancing European competitiveness, these investments play a key role in strengthening Luxembourg’s attractiveness as a hub of scientific excellence.

Moreover, Minister Obertin and Commissioner Zaharieva reaffirmed their shared commitment to working closely together to build a stronger, more attractive and forward-looking European Research Area.