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MINSK, 12 December (BelTA) - Belarus plans to sign agreements on cooperation in science and technology with Spain, Austria and Argentina, Chairman of the Belarusian State Science and Technology Committee Alexander Shumilin said at the panel discussion dedicated to the international scientific cooperation as part of the Second Congress of Scientists of Belarus, BelTA has learned.

“Belarus actively promotes cooperation in innovations and science with foreign countries: agreements on cooperation in science and technology have been signed with 46 countries, in innovations with more than 50 states. In 2017 we concluded four new agreements on cooperation in science and technology and intellectual property: Slovakia, the Republic of Korea, China and Cuba. Plans have been made to ink similar agreements with Spain, Austria and Argentina,” Alexander Shumilin informed.

He noted that Belarusian R&D organizations annually carry out more than 900 international scientific projects financed from national and foreign sources. Belarus maintains closest ties with Russia and China and also within the framework of the EAEU and the CIS, the EU.

The main instrument of the scientific policy of the Belarus-Union Union State is the Union State programs. All in all, the two countries have implemented more than 40 scientific programs. This year eight programs are in progress, including three new ones: Spinal Systems, DNA Identification and the Hydrometeorological Security of the Union State in 2017-2021. Under development and harmonization are 34 draft concepts of the Union State programs, among them are the programs on additive technologies, Integration-SG, Prizma, Security-SG, and others.

Belarus has successfully participated in the EU's framework programs on research and technology since 2002. For example, Belarus participated in 64 projects of the previous, 7th framework program, including in the fields of energy, information and communication technologies, nano-technology, new materials, medicine, with the budget of approximately €5 million. Belarusian scientists are currently participating in 32 projects of the Horizon 2020 program with the total funding of €6 million for the Belarusian side. The largest projects with participation of Belarus include Graphen, the flagship initiative of the European Commission.

On 12 December the Second Congress of Scientists is focused on the international scientific cooperation and mechanisms to enhance it in the most promising areas of science.

The Second Congress of Scientists is running in Minsk on 12-13 December. The congress brought together 2,600 delegates from all regions of the country, famous scientists of the Union State, the CIS, the leading foreign academies of sciences, international research organizations and centers. Nine panel sessions on the first day of the congress discuss the main areas of development of science. The plenary session is scheduled for 13 December. The draft strategy Science and Technologies: 2018-2040 will be the key item on the agenda of the congress.