Cypriotisch voorzitterschap heeft doelen bereikt voor onderzoek en innovatie (en)

In her presentation before the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) of the European Parliament (EP), Cyprus' Minister of Interior, Ms Eleni Mavrou, who is also responsible for the research portfolio during the Cyprus Presidency, underlined that “we have attained all the targets set in research and innovation, paving the way for a timely launch of Horizon 2020, the EU funding programme for research and innovation for the period 2014-2020, that will deliver competitiveness, growth and jobs and will contribute to addressing important societal and economic challenges ”.

In her presentation to ITRE, Ms Mavrou referred to the ambitious goals and priorities set by the Cyprus Presidency on the dossier of research and innovation, elaborating and providing details on the progress made for each of the priorities set.

“Cyprus took over the Presidency of the Council of the EU at a critical juncture in its history, with an economic crisis shaking Europe and putting in question the principles of European integration. In this context Cyprus had to face the challenge of delivering agreement on ‘Horizon 2020’, the new EU funding programme for research and innovation for the period 2014-2020, which was the main priority of our Presidency,” she said.

This aim has been fully accomplished, Minister Mavrou said, as the Cyprus Presidency has reached a partial general approach on four legislative proposals of Horizon 2020 package, namely the Rules for Participation and Dissemination in Horizon 2020, the Specific Programme Implementing Horizon 2020, the Amended Regulation of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) and the Strategic Innovation Agenda of the EIT.

Furthermore, the Cyprus Presidency has made substantial progress in the creation of the European Research Area, through the adoption of relevant Council Conclusions. Additionally, progress has been made in the development of EU international cooperation in research and innovation with emphasis on the Euro-Mediterranean Cooperation, for which EU Research Ministers have expressed the readiness of their countries to participate in the preparation of a joint research programme on Euro-Mediterranean region, based on Article 185 of the EU Treaty.

“In the field of Research and Innovation we are more than pleased with our achievements”, Minister Mavrou said, "we are proud of them”.