Coordinated measures at EU level need to be taken to tackle the covid19 crisis and to protect citizens’ health and quality of life, the EU Ministers of Research agreed, during a videoconference which took place last week under the aegis of the Croatian Minister of Science and Education Blazenka Divjak.
Cyprus was represented by Kyriakos Kokkinos, Deputy Minister of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy.
During the videoconference, the Ministers exchanged views and good practices for the use of scientific research and innovative solutions for responding to the effects of the crisis. They discussed the need to protect the health systems and to work effortlessly for a vaccine. They also addressed issues such as the role of scientists as government consultants amid the pandemic.
The Ministers also shared views about the need to establish a mechanism for exchanging information and data, to conduct clinical trials at European level and to create an information platform for European and national funding programs.
Kokkinos pointed out the importance of close cooperation and solidarity between EU member states. He said that the European Action Plan was supported as the first immediate step, but we need to put emphasis on launching new invitations under the Horizon 2020. He also briefed his counterparts on the ways Cyprus is making use of research and innovation in dealing with the pandemic.
Source: CNA
