Second meeting of the EU-Moldova Joint Research and Innovation Committee under Horizon Europe

The 2nd EU-Moldova Joint Research and Innovation Committee under Horizon Europe took place in Brussels on 23 November 2023. The meeting was co-chaired by Ms. Anne Haglund-Morrissey, Deputy Head of Unit - ‘Horizon Europe Association’ - the European Commission's Directorate-General for Research and Innovation, and Ms. Adriana Cazacu Tigaie, State Secretary of the Ministry for Education and Research of Moldova, and it was hosted by the European Commission, DG Research and Innovation.

The EU co-chair highlighted the positive trend of Moldovan participations in the EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation as a result of the Moldovan association to the Programme, and emphasised to importance of ongoing R&I policy reforms in Moldova to strengthen its national R&I capacity, not least in the context of Moldova’s candidate status and the European Commission’s recent recommendation to initiate accession negotiations. The Moldovan co-chair reiterated Moldova’s dedication to support its researchers and entities in the Horizon Europe programme and to continue the introduced reform efforts. Key R&I policy initiatives on the EU side were discussed, including the European Research Area Policy Agenda, the New European Innovation Agenda, and Europe's Global Approach to Research and Innovation and its dedicated multilateral dialogue on values and principles in international R&I cooperation.

The EU acknowledged Moldova's positive trajectory in Horizon Europe, citing the very positive trend in number of Moldovan participations and the size of EU budget contribution to Moldovan research and innovation entities; highlighted the overall 26,14% success rate in applications to Horizon Europe calls; and welcomed the establishment of a national Horizon Europe Office in Chisinau and its activities to encourage further Moldovan applicants. In light of promising results, the Moldovan co-chair affirmed the Ministry’s commitment to attracting more financial resources to R&I activities, and fully supported stronger Moldovan participation across the programme.

The discussions further focused on Moldova’s involvement in and open participation opportunities in different parts of Horizon Europe, including the Widening actions, the actions of the European Innovation Council, European Partnerships, EU Missions, the European Research Council, the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions, and the Joint Research Centre. Also the financial contribution, and the implementation of the principle of reciprocity were addressed.

The meeting paves the way for strengthened EU-Moldova research and innovation cooperation in the context of Horizon Europe.

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International cooperation with Moldova