Minister of Industry and Technology Mehmet Fatih Kacır stated, “Since 2021, through 486 projects involving 1107 Turkish executives, we have brought 243 million euros in grant support to Turkey within the framework of the Horizon Europe Program covering the years 2021-2027.” Fatma Eda Topcu | 25.04.2024 – Update: 25.04.2024 Minister Kacır: We have brought 243 million euros in grant support to Turkey, involving 1107 Turkish executives
Istanbul Minister of Industry and Technology Mehmet Fatih Kacır and Iliana Ivanova, Member of the European Commission Responsible for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education, and Youth, attended the “Turkey-European Union, High-Level Dialogue on Science, Research, Technology, and Innovation 2nd Meeting” held at the Presidency Dolmabahçe Office, closed to the press.
Speaking to the press after the meeting, Kacır indicated that the High-Level Dialogue Meeting is a mechanism aimed at addressing bilateral relations more focusedly at the highest levels, and they have had productive discussions around a significant and comprehensive agenda by addressing bilateral relations with the EU at the highest level within the framework of the meeting.
Kacır stated that they had significant consultations on issues including science and technology policies, the green and digital transformation of industry, Turkey’s more effective utilization of EU funds, and increased participation in EU structures related to science and R&D. He noted:
“We shared our proposals and good practice examples mutually to increase our country’s integration into the European Research Area. We presented our priorities in science, technology, and innovation policies. We shared the progress we have made in the green and digital transformation recently. We discussed the necessity of enhancing synergy between programs such as ‘Horizon Europe,’ ‘Digital Europe,’ and ‘Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance’ to achieve our common goals in the twin transformation. Lastly, we evaluated cooperation opportunities in technology transfer and entrepreneurship to ensure the integration of our innovation ecosystems.”
Kacır emphasized that today’s meeting also served as an occasion to reward significant achievements in the country, stating, “This year, the ‘European Women Innovators Award,’ jointly managed by the European Innovation Council, SME Executive Agency, and the European Institute of Innovation and Technology, highlighting the significant role of women in promoting transformative change and innovation-focused growth in the European Union, was awarded to Prof. Dr. Rana Sanyal from Boğaziçi University for her successful work in the field of biotechnology. The success of Prof. Sanyal, which is a source of pride for us, demonstrates that women are a strong voice in Turkey’s scientific research infrastructure.”
Kacır expressed that this success would also make a significant contribution to the global recognition of Turkey’s capabilities and potential in science and technology. He also mentioned another development, which is TÜBİTAK’s three innovation programs earning the right to participate in the European Innovation Council’s Plug-in mechanism.
“We have increased the number of organizations acting as coordinators in multi-partner projects to 40.” Kacır expressed that in line with the national technology move, they have been strengthening Turkey’s R&D and innovation infrastructure step by step to build a leading Turkey in technology.
Highlighting the importance they attach to international collaborations in science, technology, and innovation within this vision, Kacır said:
“With this perspective, we have prioritized participation in EU programs that offer our researchers, entrepreneurs, industrialists, and SMEs the opportunity to work together with European partners and make the most of the opportunities these programs provide. Our successes in the EU Research and Innovation Programs, in which we have been actively involved since 2003, in recent years demonstrate that Turkey is among the leading stakeholders in the European research and innovation ecosystem. Turkish researchers and innovative companies have been the most contributing actors in our effective utilization of these programs.
Among the examples of concrete cooperation with our European partners in research and innovation, our country’s success graph in the world’s largest civil R&D program, Horizon Europe, is included. Within the Horizon Europe Program covering the years 2021-2027, we have brought 243 million euros in grant support to Turkey through 486 projects involving 1107 Turkish executives since 2021. In addition, we have increased the number of organizations acting as coordinators in multi-partner projects to 40. The Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA), which supports projects in various fields including green and digital transformation, R&D, technology transfer, and commercialization projects with a fund size exceeding 700 million euros, plays a key role in strengthening science, technology, and innovation cooperation between the EU and Turkey.”
“We continue our efforts for Turkey’s active participation in the Digital Europe program” Minister of Industry and Technology Mehmet Fatih Kacır recalled that Turkey joined the Digital Europe program last year.
Kacır stated that they continue their efforts for Turkey to actively participate in the program, which will enable the utilization of the infrastructures built by the EU in digitization and innovation, contribute to the digital and green transformation of SMEs in the country, and ensure the acquisition of new digital skills by the human capital.
Emphasizing the importance of Turkey’s active participation in European industrial partnerships, Kacır explained that they could achieve better collaborations in the fields of green transformation, industrial decarbonization, and smart cities.
Ivanova stressed that today’s meeting was a significant opportunity to evaluate joint efforts in digital education and entrepreneurial skills to support green transformation. She stated:
“We know that we can find transformative solutions that will enable green and digital transition only by combining our strengths in education, research, and innovation. I invite all Turkish researchers and innovators to actively participate in these European initiatives. Your contributions are crucial for our common future.”
source: aa.com.tr/ prepared by Melisa Beğiç