EU Pact Aims to Make Europe ‘Quantum Valley of the World’

E.U. member state leaders have committed to collaborating to make Europe globally competitive in quantum technologies.

Representatives from 21 countries have signed the Declaration on Quantum Technologies, which aims to position Europe as a leading region for quantum excellence and innovation. The signing was recognized at the Shaping Europe’s Quantum Future conference held in Brussels, Belgium.

Deputy director-general of the European Commission’s Connect directorate Thomas Skordas said at the event that quantum has the potential to transform sectors including medicine, energy, computing, communications, climate and weather modeling, cybersecurity, space, defense and more.

He added that the pact would enable productivity gains, revitalize industry and open up new markets, applications and job opportunities.

“The Quantum Pact is our collective endeavor to make Europe the Quantum Valley of the World,” Skordas said.

“Only by building on our strengths, by working together, by being ambitious, by targeting the whole spectrum of activities – research, industry, infrastructures, talent, external partnerships and more – can we transform Europe into the leading region globally for quantum excellence and innovation. Quantum will help us to challenge the boundaries of what is possible.”

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To date, 21 member states have signed the declaration. These are Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Spain, Slovakia, Slovenia and Sweden.

The conference also saw the unveiling of the Belgium Quantum Circle, an initiative that aims to further collaboration and innovation in quantum technologies in Belgium and across Europe.

The venture is expected to bring together Belgian researchers, industry and the public and private sectors to exploit quantum’s transformative potential.

Representatives also participated in workshops and panel discussions to explore the practical implementation of European Quantum Competence Clusters.

The clusters intend to promote quantum-focused, industry-oriented research, innovation and support activities in member states and to help them network at the E.U. level.