Agro Perspectiva

Semynozhenko: Horizon 2020 is an example of successful scientific and technical integration of Ukraine to EU

16.01.2014 14:12 "Agro Perspectiva" (Kyiv) — Ukraine’s participation in the Horizon 2020 European Union’s program, which has began since January 1 in our country, indicates the common interest of the EU and Ukraine to strengthen scientific and technical cooperation, Government Portal says referring to the Chairman of the State Agency on Science, Innovations and Informatization Volodymr Semynozhenko report made during the official presentation of the program, which took place on January 16 in Kyiv. «It is significant that one of the first presentations of the Horizon 2020 takes place in Kyiv. This indicates the strong interest of the European Union in scientific and technical cooperation with Ukraine,» Volodymyr Semynozhenko noted. He said that Europe is well aware powerful innovation and intellectual potential of our country. «For example, we went to dozens of countries outside the EU and took second place in Eastern Europe and Central Asia by the number of projects submitted for funding under the 7th Framework Program for Research,» V. Semynozhenko stressed. According to him, an important result for both parties is the decision to grant Ukraine the status of an associate member of CERN. In addition, Ukrainian scientists, researchers, teachers and students collaborate successfully with foreign colleagues under the EUREKA program. The caiman of the SASII noted that scientific and technological integration of Ukraine into the European Union has accelerated rapidly and will only deepen in the future. «As the most profitable format of cooperation between Ukraine and the EU is a sectoral cooperation. Undoubtedly, it will have a positive effect on the development of the state, and hence, the support of the entire Ukrainian society. Therefore, we can confidently say that Ukraine is acting as an equal partner of the EU in scientific and technical cooperation,» V. Semynozhenko said. At the same time, Ukraine is interested in intensifying scientific and technological cooperation with the CIS countries, which are our traditional partners. Ukrainian side has recently signed the Interstate program of innovation cooperation of CIS member states for the period up to 2020, and the representative of Ukraine headed the Interstate Council on cooperation in science, technology and innovation in the CIS that held for the first time in the history of its operation. «This shows that a scientific space, the space where new ideas and solutions are born, by definition, has no boundaries for all participants,» V. Semynozhenko summed up. It is to be admitted, the European Union’s Horizon 2020 program is designed for 6 six years (2014–2020). The European Commission announced on January 1, 2014 on the official opening of the Horizon 2020. First contests of the Program were announced ahead of the event, on December 11, 2013. The program provides support by the EU of fundamental research developments and the development of the most promising areas of innovation economy - ICT, nanotechnology, new materials science, biotechnology and space industry.