RIF meets with General Secretariat for Research and Innovation in Athens

Aiming to strengthen bilateral relations and leverage shared opportunities in the field of research and innovation, a meeting took place in Athens between the Director General of the Research and Innovation Foundation (RIF), Theodoros Loukaidis, and the Secretary General for Research and Innovation of Greece, Dr Anastasios Gaitanis.

The meeting confirmed the mutual commitment to closer cooperation between Cyprus and Greece in the field of Research and Innovation.

Among the topics discussed were:

• The enhancement of both countries' participation in the EU’s Horizon Europe programme for Research and Innovation, through networking events, mentoring initiatives, and the creation of collaborative networks between Greek and Cypriot institutions, with the potential inclusion of other Member States.
• The utilisation of the outcomes of the Cyprus–Greece Bilateral Call, aiming to implement a series of actions to attract additional resources.
• The support of start-up entrepreneurship.

“Deepening our cooperation with Greece is a strategic choice," Loukaidis stated. "Our shared journey, based on common challenges and opportunities, can provide the impetus for further success at the European level. The response to the bilateral call launched in November confirms that there is a solid foundation for joint action, both within the academic and business communities. The next goal is to lay the groundwork for more targeted and effective synergies.”

The joint Bilateral Call, announced on 20 November 2024 with a budget of €2,000,000, marks a landmark step in this direction. The call strengthens synergies between Greek and Cypriot organisations, promoting projects in fields such as digital technologies, agri-food, marine and maritime ecosystems, renewable energy sources, and health.

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

To this end, a follow-up meeting is scheduled to take place in July.