The Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth Mariya Gabriel, said: “With Horizon Europe we have redesigned our approach towards international cooperation in research and innovation, strengthening, even more, our ties with countries outside the geographical proximity of the EU that have a robust scientific and research track record.
“With a solid scientific base and more than half of New Zealand’s researchers having an active collaboration with a European partner, the country has been a trusted EU partner for many years now. Its future association to Horizon Europe will deepen our relation, foster innovation, and will further enable European researchers to benefit from the latest knowledge and some of the best talent worldwide.”
Promoting international cooperation through Horizon Europe
Traditionally, Horizon Europe cooperation has been offered by the Union to countries in its geographic proximity; however, this new association will enable New Zealand researchers and organisations to participate in the programme on equal terms with entities from the EU Members States.
Association to the EU’s Framework Programme on Research and Innovation is the closest form of international cooperation in science and technology between the Union and non-EU countries.
The agreement with New Zealand will be the first time association of a highly industrialised country outside Europe to the Union’s flagship programme for research and innovation.
Source : Open Access Government