- COPE subscribes to and promotes the principles of academic freedom and editorial independence that underpin the pursuit of knowledge inherent in research and academic work.
- COPE understands that some countries have made requests or instituted practices that interfere with and restrict the communication and distribution of scientific research results. This conflicts with principles to which COPE subscribes.
- COPE believes that progress will be made when all parties take a pragmatic approach, with open and frank discussion and debate about these issues. COPE’s starting position, in those debates, is for the adoption of the principles of academic freedom and editorial independence.