26.06.2023 []

2nd Meeting of the EU-Ukraine Joint S&T; Cooperation Committee (JSTCC)

The second meeting of the EU-Ukraine JSTCC established under the bilateral S&T Agreement took place in Kiev on 24 May at the State Agency on Science, Innovation and Informatization (SASII). The meeting was co-chaired by Borys Grynyov, SASII Vice-Chairman, and by Elisabeth Lipiatou, DG RTD. The EEAS was represented by Mr Andrew Rasbash, Head of Operations at the EU Delegation in Kiev.

The meeting allowed exchanging information on mutual policy developments following the 1st JSTCC held in Brussels in November 2011, including the bilateral Association and Free Trade Agreement Ukraine is expected to sign at the next Eastern Partnership Summit (next November in Vilnius) as well as the transition from FP7 to H2020 and the adoption of our new international cooperation strategy. The review of the bilateral cooperation in FP7 highlighted the fact Ukraine was todate the 7th largest international partner in terms of number of participations in the programme, and identified tracks for further improvements, notably in fostering more research-industry partnerships.

Both sides exchanged information on four sectors (NMP, Biotechnologies, ICT and Aeronautics) in line with the conclusions of the 1st JSTCC meeting, Ukrainian excellence and cooperation potential identified in those domains. In this context the BILAT-UKR*AINA (Enhancing the BILATeral S&T Partnership with UKRraine * Advanced INnovative Approach) coordinator ZSI (Centre for Social Innovation, Austria) presented the project's activities. BILAT projects support the coordination for the enhancement and development of Science, Technology and Innovation Partnerships between the EU and non-EU countries, which have signed an S&T cooperation agreement with the EC or are in the process of signing such an agreement.

The JSTCC proposed further strengthening the cooperation, notably through leveraging it in the broader regional context of the Eastern Partnership as well as at multilateral level when relevant and to give more emphasis on the innovation dimension, and the need for an increased interaction with industry. It was agreed the next JSTCC meeting would be held in Brussels during the second half of 2014.

Source: EC, International Research Update, Issue 35 and BILAT-UKR*AINA project