Cyprus and Greece have agreed to step up cooperation in research and innovation, following high-level talks in Athens between senior officials from both countries.

The meeting brought together Theodoros Loukaidis, Director General of the Research and Innovation Foundation (RIF), and Anastasios Gaitanis, Secretary General for Research and Innovation of Greece.

It focused on “strengthening bilateral ties and seizing shared opportunities in the rapidly evolving sectors of research and innovation”.

According to an announced by the RIF released on Wednesday, the meeting “confirmed the mutual will of both countries to forge closer collaboration in these areas”.

It also mentioned that several key issues were discussed during the meeting. These included enhancing the participation of both countries in the European Union’s Horizon Europe programme for research and innovation.

This, the foundation said, would be supported through networking events, mentoring initiatives, and the creation of collaborative networks between Greek and Cypriot organisations, with the potential to include other member states as well.

Participants also addressed the utilisation of the results of the Cyprus–Greece Joint Transnational Call, with the aim of implementing a series of actions to attract additional funding.

Moreover, the announcement stated that support for start-up entrepreneurship was also a topic of discussion.

Theodoros Loukaidis said “deepening our cooperation with Greece is a strategic choice”.

“Our shared path, based on common challenges and opportunities, can drive further success at the European level” he added.

He also stated that “the response to the November joint transnational call confirms that there is a strong foundation for joint action, both within the academic and the business communities”.

“The next goal is to lay the groundwork for more targeted and effective synergies” he continued.

The joint transnational call, announced on November 20, 2024, with a budget of €2 million, is seen as a landmark step in this direction.

It strengthens synergies between Greek and Cypriot organisations by promoting projects in areas such as digital technologies, agri-food, maritime and shipping ecosystems, renewable energy sources, and health.

The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to intensify collaboration through new initiatives.

In this context, a new follow-up meeting is scheduled to take place in July.