Cyprus and the United States signed a Science and Technology Cooperation Agreement on Friday by the Deputy Minister of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy Kyriakos Kokkinos and U.S. Ambassador to Cyprus Judith Garber, on the occasion of the International Women and Girls in Science Day.
The agreement marks a commitment to a new era of scientific cooperation between Cyprus and the United States, said Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Erika Olson.
In remarks at the ceremony held at the Presidential Palace, Kokkinos said the bilateral science and technology agreement is a long-awaited development that further advances the rapidly growing relationship between the two countries.
"Our common priorities for the future are clear, we need to invest in digital technologies alongside innovation to boost growth."
"Building bridges between our people, countries and cultures and joining forces using science and technology to solve global challenges is very important," he said.
According to the Deputy Minister, the agreement incorporates concrete measures to encourage, develop and facilitate cooperation in areas of common interest, and stressed the importance of signing the agreement during today's celebration of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science.
"Outdated stereotypes and prejudices that are barriers to women's participation in science must be addressed at the individual, community, national and international levels," she said.
This, she added, "is a concept that dominates all our policies, including our research and innovation strategy and the national action plan for digital skills and jobs."
For her part, the US Ambassador said that "by signing this agreement today, we highlight not only our expanding partnership with the Republic of Cyprus, but also our shared commitment to promote and encourage greater participation of all segments of society in scientific endeavors." On the occasion of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, she said, "Cyprus' women scientists are pioneers, advancing new fields and inspiring a new generation of girls to think that they too could be in their shoes."
On behalf of the US government, the ceremony was also attended by Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Erica Olson, who noted that bilateral relations between Cyprus and the US are strong and continue to grow, citing as examples the cooperation between the two countries on anti-money laundering, the development of renewable energy and the strengthening of the 3+1 mechanism with Greece and Israel.
"We appreciate the commitment of the Republic of Cyprus to the main outcomes of COP 26 in Glasgow, including the Global Methane Commitment, and we congratulate you on the launch of the initiative to address climate change in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East, which is already leading to enhanced regional cooperation on scientific and climate priorities," he said.
In closing, Olson said the agreement is a comprehensive roadmap and marks a commitment to a new era of scientific cooperation between Cyprus and the US.
Source: CNA
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