MEPs in Strasbourg Address Foreign Interference and Espionage in European Universities
During a plenary session in Strasbourg, Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) engaged in a discussion about foreign interference and espionage by non-EU countries in European universities. MEPs highlighted that universities serve as hubs for research, innovation, and knowledge exchange, but are also vulnerable to interference by countries like China, Russia, and Iran.
Renew Europe MEP Laurence Farreng pointed out that foreign interference in universities is a blind spot in current policies, with espionage and influence being the two main types of interference. MEPs emphasized that third countries exploit academic partnerships to benefit from technology transfers, conduct espionage operations, and influence debates.
MEPs, including Hannes Heide of the S&D party, called for increased scrutiny and transparency in research funding, particularly in strategic areas like artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, space research, and biotechnology. Recommendations were made to ensure transparency in funding institutions, raise awareness at universities, and allocate more public funding to higher education.
While acknowledging China and Russia as main sources of foreign interference, MEPs emphasized the importance of maintaining academic freedom and the autonomy of institutions. Green/EFA Group MEP Markéta Gregorová stressed the need to be vigilant against foreign interference without being paranoid, suggesting coordination with European intelligence agencies to uncover and address such threats.
The discussion underscored the need to address foreign interference in European universities while upholding academic freedom and institutional autonomy. Measures to strengthen scrutiny, transparency, and awareness in research funding were proposed to combat espionage and influence from non-EU countries.
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