On 3 April 2019 the COST Association organised the first awareness day for the Near Neighbour Countries (NNC) at the COST premises. National representatives, mainly National Contact Points from the NNCs’ capitals, as well as representatives from the embassies of Algeria, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Egypt, Georgia, Jordan, Kosovo*, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Palestine**, Russia, Syria, Tunisia and Ukraine attended the event
During the awareness day, participants learned about the work of COST, the importance and impact of networking, and how COST Actions promote and spread excellence. They also gained knowledge about the opportunities offered by the COST networking tools, the rules of accessing COST Actions as well as potential financial support.
Cooperation between NNCs and the European Union is of strategic importance. Countries and people of the region face common challenges, like transboundary pollution or loss of biodiversity, environmental protection, food and nutrition security, inclusive development and resilience to crises and tensions. In order to tackle these challenges, regional innovative solutions and knowledge-based approaches are needed.
Within COST, cooperation across disciplines and different areas of science and technology (i.e. biology and textile) is custom, achieving novel knowledge and innovative products. Therefore, participation in COST Actions is mutually beneficial to all partners.
At the beginning of this year, COST built capacity in the NNCs from the Southern Mediterranean region during three different EU events, taking place in Tunisia, Morocco, and Algeria. In addition, COST organised three Info Days in Jordan, Moldova and Georgia.
* This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244/1999 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.
** This designation shall not be construed as recognition of a State of Palestine and is without prejudice to the individual positions of the EU Member States on this issue.
Photo group of the representatives of the Near Neighbour Countries that attended the event together with COST Director, Dr Ronald de Bruin, and COST policy representatives.