On a Regular Session of the Russia – EU Joint Science and Technology Cooperation Committee

Submitted on Thu, 06/27/2019 - 16:55

A regular session of the Russia-European Union Joint Science and Technology Cooperation Committee (JSTCC) was held in Brussels on 25 June 2019.

The Russian delegation was headed by Mikhail Romanovsky, Director of the Department of State Science and Scientific and Technological Policy of the Russian Ministry of Science and Higher Education. The delegation included representatives of research and development organisations and institutes.

The JSTCC was co-chaired from the EU side by Maria Cristina Russo, Director for International Cooperation of the Directorate-General for Research and Innovation of the European Commission.

During the meeting both sides exchanged information on development of science, technology and innovation policy in Russia and the EU. The European partners explained opportunities for possible Russian participation in the 9th EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation “Horizon Europe”, that will start in 2021. The Russian side informed the EU on the progress of its National Project "Science" and noted the key goals and objectives of the new State Programme "Scientific and Technological Development of the Russian Federation". Participants exchanged views on implementation of the on-going joint research and development projects in the field of aeronautics, healthcare and research infrastructures.

In addition both sides discussed new promising areas of cooperation for the period after 2020, such as photonics, biotechnology, genetics, new materials and artificial intelligence. The meeting was attended by representatives of the expert community, which allowed for an efficient exchange of best practices and experience in conducting research in the above mentioned areas in Russia and the EU.

Following the meeting, both sides noted the positive dynamics of the development of Russia-EU scientific and technological cooperation. This is largely due to the successful implementation of projects in the field of academic mobility, cooperation between young scientists, as well as efficient support mechanisms for scientific research both within the national initiatives and under the international programmes such as “Horizon 2020”. Over the past five years the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation, with the participation of European states, has supported 181 joint projects, 38 of them received support within the EU Framework Programme “Horizon 2020”, including the Initiative ERA.NET Rus Plus. It is planned that more than 30 joint projects will be supported in 2019.

“Implementation of the agreements achieved at the session lies ahead of us, which, I am confident, will enhance the potential of the Russia-EU scientific and technological cooperation based on equality, trust and mutual respect,” noted Mikhail Romanovsky, head of the Russian delegation.