Minister of Industry and Technology Mehmet Fatih Kacır said, "In the Horizon Europe Program covering the years 2021-2027, we have brought 2021 million euros of grant support to Turkey through 1107 projects involving 486 Turkish executives since 243." said.
Minister Kacır and European Union (EU) Commission Member Responsible for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth Iliana Ivanova attended the Turkey-European Union, Science, Research, Technology and Innovation High Level Dialogue 2, which was held closed to the press at the Presidential Dolmabahçe Labor Office. He attended the meeting. Making a statement to the press after the meeting, Kacır pointed out that the High Level Dialogue Meeting is a mechanism that aims to discuss bilateral relations in a more focused manner, from the highest authorities, and set an important and comprehensive agenda by discussing bilateral relations with the EU at the highest level within the framework of the meeting. He said that they had productive discussions around the issue.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY POLICIES
Kacır stated that they held important consultations on issues including science and technology policies, green and digital transformation of the industry, Turkey's more effective use of EU funds, and increased participation in EU structures related to science and R&D, and said, "Our country's participation in the European Research Area We mutually shared our suggestions and good practice examples in order to increase integration. We have revealed our priorities in our science, technology and innovation policies. We shared the progress we have made recently in the field of green and digital transformation. We discussed the necessity of increasing the synergy between the 'Union' programs, especially 'Horizon Europe' and 'Digital Europe', and the 'Pre-Accession Assistance Instrument' in order to achieve our common goals in the twin transformation. Finally, we evaluated cooperation opportunities in the field of technology transfer and entrepreneurship in order to ensure the integration of our innovation eco-systems.” he said.
243 MILLION EUROS GRANT SUPPORT
Stating that our country's success chart in Horizon Europe, the world's largest civilian R&D program, is among the examples of concrete cooperation with our European partners in the field of research and innovation, Kacır said, “In the Horizon Europe Program, covering the years 2021-2027, 2021 Turks have been recruited since 1107.” We brought 486 million euros of grant support to Turkey through 243 projects in which the coordinator was involved. In addition, we increased the number of organizations involved as coordinators in multi-partner projects to 40. "The Pre-Accession Assistance Instrument (IPA), which supports R&D, technology transfer and commercialization projects, especially green and digital transformation, with a fund size exceeding 700 million euros, plays a key role in strengthening the science, technology and innovation cooperation between the EU and Turkey." he said.
DIGITAL AND GREEN TRANSFORMATION
Stating that Turkey participated in the Digital Europe program last year, Kacır said, "Turkey will take part in the program, which will allow the EU to benefit from the infrastructures built in the field of digitalization and innovation, contribute to the digital and green transformation of SMEs in the country, and enable human capital to gain new digital skills." He explained that they are continuing to work for him to take an active part.
WE PREPARED OUR ROADMAP
“We have prepared our road maps with the support of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and our relevant stakeholders to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions of the aluminum, steel, fertilizer and cement sectors, which correspond to 12,7 percent of our exports to the EU.” Kacır said, “With the 'Sectoral Green Growth Technology Roadmaps' designed by TÜBİTAK, the technological progress of our industrial enterprises in the iron and steel, aluminum, cement, fertilizer, plastic and chemical sectors, which are of vital importance for our economy, provide basic input to many sectors and stand out in terms of carbon emissions, “We identified their needs.” he said.
FINANCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE
Minister Kacır, on the other hand, emphasized that they have created the financing infrastructure that will allow them to successfully realize the green transformation, and said, "With the 'Turkey Organized Industrial Zones Project' and 'Turkey Green Industry Project' that we have implemented in cooperation with the World Bank, the investments and technology development studies that our industry will carry out with a focus on green transformation "We have mobilized a financing of 750 million dollars for the project." he said.
CUSTOMS UNION
Minister Kacır said, “The revision of the Customs Union, taking into account the current problems and developments in global trade, has become an obligation rather than a choice to further the mutual trade between Turkey and the EU on the basis of common benefit. In this context, our mutual concrete initiatives and work with our European partners will continue. "Turkey's commitment to scientific and technological cooperation, in line with its goal of sustainable, strong, full membership with the EU, is a testament to its dedication to achieving mutual progress and common prosperity." he said.
SUPPORT TO TURKISH RESEARCHERS
EU Commission Member Responsible for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth Iliana Ivanova stated that they met today to underline the important role played by education, research and innovation, especially in supporting the green transformation. He touched upon their collaboration. Ivanova said, “Over the past 20 years, researchers, scientists and innovators from Turkey have earned 743 million euros from our programs. “We will establish a European Innovation Council and Technology Community Center in Turkey.” said.