ICOS² First Press Release – Launch of the project to strengthen Europe’s semiconductor Resilience and Global Partnership

We are pleased to announce the publication of our very first Press Release, marking an important milestone in the project journey toward strengthening international cooperation in the semiconductor sector.

Following the official launch of the project at Tyndall National Institute in Cork, the first press release introduces the vision, objectives and ambition of the ICOS² consortium.

The project will deliver policy recommendations, support international research and innovation cooperation, promote resilient semiconductor supply chains and contribute to Europe technological sovereignty in a rapidly evolving geopolitical landscape.

Dive into the Press Release to discover the project’s ambition based on the ICOS project results. 

The Joint Statement issued following the 11th Summit between the EU and the ROK on June 10th 2026 highlights an increasingly important trend in global semiconductor policy where no region can achieve resilience, innovation and technological leadership alone. International Cooperation is becoming a strategic necessity.

For ICOS², the summit represents a strong political endorsement of the project’s core mission to strengthen international cooperation in the semiconductor ecosystem.

The EU and ROK reaffirmed their commitment to deepening cooperation in critical technologies including semiconductors, digital innovation and industrial resilience. The Summit reflects a broader European strategy that recognises semiconductors as essential for economic competitiveness, technological sovereignty and secure supply chain.

The cooperation with South Korea is strategic for Europe in the way that the country is one of the world’s leading semiconductor power with strengths in memory and advanced chips manufacturing. The EU within the framework of the European Chips Act and the Chips Act 2.0 is seeking to reinforce its value chain and is developing partnerships to achieve it.

This Summit is creating a favorable environment for ICOS² to launch its activities on supporting the cooperation between the EU and key strategic countries like South Korea.

The ICOS² Kick-Off Meeting took place on 4 June in Cork, Ireland, bringing together project partners both in person and online to officially launch the project and align on the work ahead.

This first consortium meeting provided an important opportunity for all partners to meet, establish a shared vision, and organize the next steps for the successful implementation of ICOS². Throughout the day, each Work Package Leader presented the objectives, key milestones, and upcoming activities under their responsibility, fostering coordination and collaboration across the consortium.

The meeting also offered a valuable forum for discussions on project management, communication, and the overall roadmap, ensuring that all partners are aligned from the outset.

The consortium was pleased to welcome Jonas Jutting, Project Officer, who joined the meeting online. During his intervention, he highlighted the importance and ambitions of ICOS², emphasizing its strategic role and its continuity with the achievements and vision of the first ICOS project. His contribution reinforced the consortium’s commitment to building on previous successes and delivering impactful results over the coming years.

With a strong collaborative spirit and a clear roadmap established, the ICOS² consortium is now fully engaged in the next phase of the project and looks forward to achieving its objectives together.