Ukraine-EU science and technology ties intensify
Lying just outside the eastern edge of the EU and bordering several EU countries, Ukraine boasts strong research potential that acts as a firm base for scientific exchange with the EU. The country is one of the largest in Europe and has strong ties with Russia, bringing forth excellent opportunities for cooperation in science and technology (S&T). With this in mind, the EU-funded project 'Enhancing the bilateral S&T partnership with Ukraine' (BILAT-UKR) aimed to integrate Ukraine into the European Research Area (ERA). The project represented a solid platform to encourage cooperation and strengthen the EU-Ukraine S&T cooperation agreement, which was renewed in late 2011. The agreement envisioned a more sustainable and equitable economic development of Ukraine with stronger participation in EU funding programmes, helping as well to upgrade the science and innovation sectors in the nation. Principally, the agreement proposal ensured that both the EU and Ukraine benefit from each other in advancing research, science and technology. It built on an array of previous EU initiatives that have involved the country in recent years, eyeing as well upcoming projects that target east European and central Asian countries. These actions to strengthen bilateral cooperation were undertaken in coordination with the Science and Technology Center in Ukraine (STCU), adding a valuable local entity to encourage S&T rapprochement with the bloc. A significant step in boosting the project's success has come from its leading partner in Ukraine, the National Information Centre for Ukraine-EU S&T Cooperation (NIP). This was recently supported by a policy workshop in the country's capital, Kiev, which unveiled the means to solidify research collaboration and reached out to policymakers. Towards the end, the workshop highlighted guidelines and proposals for policymakers that will enhance research and technology partnerships, welcoming a new era in EU-Ukraine cooperation.
