Latvia kicks off high-level discussions on research and innovation

Today, Commissioner Mariya Gabriel and the Latvian Minister for Education and Science, Anda Čakša, met in Stockholm to formally initiate the ‘Enhanced Dialogue’ between the European Commission and Latvia. The two parties expressed their strong commitment to this strategic partnership, which aims to strengthen Latvia's research and innovation ecosystem through regular discussions.

Mariya Gabriel, Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth said:

We are delighted to embark on a robust collaboration with Latvia through the new ‘Enhanced Dialogue’ initiative. Our objective is to enhance Latvia's research and innovation performance and to drive this forward for the benefit of the country. I am committed to make our resources and tools available to achieve these goals.

Anda Čakša, Latvian Minister for Education and Science said:

Latvia is glad to enhance our collaboration with the Commission under this new ‘Enhanced Dialogue’ initiative. We are keen to make full use of the Commission’s support to Latvian research and innovation. I can reaffirm our full commitment to put into effect the policy objectives already set out by the College and by Council conclusions through a joint R&I agenda focussed on Latvia’s needs and priorities.

The meeting will be followed by technical discussions in Riga on 10^th March. These discussions will include the ongoing R&I reforms in Latvia, the New European Innovation Agenda, Open Science and synergies between Horizon Europe and Cohesion funding.

Background

Enhanced dialogues with EU countries are a new, bottom-up channel of cooperation with the European Commission. The goal of these dialogues is to create a country-tailored approach to foster research and innovation in the participating EU country. They are organised on a voluntary basis and built around topics depending on the interests of the country.

Latvia is the 6^th Member State to take part in an Enhanced Dialogue.

More information

Enhanced dialogue with EU countries

Press contact:

EC Spokesperson for Research, Science and Innovation