Horizon 2020 Association Launching Workshop and Information Day 2-3 JUNE , YEREVAN, ARMENIA

The Horizon 2020 Association Launching Workshop and Information Day devoted to Armenia's association to the European Union Framework Programme on Research and Innovation HORIZON 2020 was held on June 2-3, 2016, at the conference hall of Matenadaran.

The main objective of the events was to present to the Armenian authorities and STI stakeholders the additional opportunities arising from association of Armenia to the EU's Horizon 2020 programme. The events were organized in the framework of FP7 IncoNet EaP Project in cooperation with the European Commission, concerned Armenian ministries and agencies and EU Delegation to Armenia.

The Agreement on association of Armenia to European Union Framework Programme on Research and Innovation HORIZON 2020 was signed in Brussels on May 19, 2016, by the Minister of Education and Science of the Republic of Armenia Mr. Levon Mkrtchyan and EU Commissioner for Research, Science and Innovation Mr. Carlos Moedas.

The Association Launching Workshop organized on June 2, 2016, was mainly dedicated to Horizon2020 National Contact Persons and information multipliers from various scientific and research institutes and universities, as well as representatives of SMEs, NGOs and other concerned organizations and was attended by around 75 participants, including delegation of the EC, experts from Belgium, Moldova, Serbia, Ukraine, and IncoNet EaP partners from Austria, Belarus and Greece.

The welcome speeches were delivered by Vice-President of the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia, Academician Yuri Shoukourian, Deputy Chairman of the State Committee of Science of the Republic of Armenia Prof. Vardan Sahakyan and Representative of the DG Research and Innovation of the European Commission Mr. Stephen Sadler.

On June 3, 2016, Horizon 2020 Information Day was held with main focus to Climate Change, SME Instruments and COSME Programme. The event evoked high interest in the stakeholders' community and was attended by more than 150 participants representing research institutes, universities, SMEs and industries, agencies and associations, NGOs and international organizations.

The event included keynote speeches by the President of the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia, Academician Radik Martirosyan, Ambassador and Head of European Union Delegation to the Republic of Armenia Mr. Piotr Antoni Switalski, Chairman of the State Committee of Science of the RA Ministry of Education and Science Mr. Samvel Haroutiunyan, First Deputy Minister of Economy Mr. Garegin Melkonyan.

All the high level Armenian officials stressed the importance of the association of Armenia to the largest in the world collaborative research and innovation programme which will allow Armenian scientific and research institutes, universities, SMEs and individual researchers to be part of European Research Area, and get involved and benefit from participation in joint research projects together with advanced European research organizations and SMEs.

"By joining the Horizon 2020 Armenia has chosen to invest in developing knowledge and its citizens. Today, the Armenian government is making a commitment to strengthen the research, scientific and innovation foundations in-country in order for universities, research institutions, and businesses to compete with the best in the world. Armenia has an admirable scientific and cultural history and is worldwide recognised for its contributions in physical sciences, nanotechnology, and in high performance computing.

I welcome the commitment of the Armenian government and the leadership shown by the National Academy of Science and the State Committee for Science for realising this initiative. Their active participation in Horizon 2020, their commitment to bring the scientific capacities and entrepreneurship to a new level in Armenia means that brilliant ideas and thinking can now be further explored and receive substantial EU funding", said Ambassador Piotr Switalski, Head of the EU Delegation.

The event was organized by the National Academy of Sciences of RA in the framework of the EU FP7 project "STI International Cooperation Network for Eastern Partnership Countries" (FP7 INCO NET EaP Project).

07.06.2016 | ISTPD