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I would like to thank you for your presence at today's conference, which is part of the Ministry's strategic plan to strengthen research and innovation in the field of Defence.
Cyprus, due to its geographical location in a region characterized by geopolitical volatility and instability, has to face particular challenges regarding security issues. This is quite logical, considering the continuous social, political and economic changes that have occurred worldwide, the recurrent international crises, the regional and global geopolitical upheavals and the rapid evolution of technology.
In this context, the defence policy of the Ministry of Defence aims primarily at strengthening the defence capabilities of the National Guard, but also at deepening existing and establishing new partnerships with countries that share the same geopolitical concerns with us.
In a rapidly changing security environment, the Ministry of Defence is called upon to respond by developing the military capabilities of the Republic of Cyprus. Speed and efficiency are interwoven with technological advances, which are a reference point in the process of designing and implementing the main efforts in Defence Research, Development and Innovation.
This technological progress should, on the one hand, be supported, as far as possible, by national technological capabilities, which make it possible to support the National Guard with very specific and immediate technological solutions. On the other hand, it must be able to contribute to the development of a capable Cypriot ecosystem, which will contribute to the strengthening of the European defence market.
The Ministry of Defence, continues the effort that has been made over the last 2 years with a series of actions that contribute both to strengthening defence and security and to achieving conditions for the development of a Cypriot defence industry producing technology products. These actions are aimed at linking the effort to strengthen Research, Development and Innovation activities with the real economy, as well as to strengthen cooperation between academic institutions, enterprises and competent bodies, both at national and European level.
This aspect of the Ministry's policy is implemented on the basis of planned actions in 2 pillars. Upon completion of the action, the Ministry will pay a total funding of 900 thousand euros.
In addition, under the European Defence Industrial Development Programme (EDIDP), 10 proposals with Cypriot participation were co-financed by the Fund. Another 12 proposals with Cypriot participation, supported under the European Defence Fund, have also secured funding. Our Ministry's contribution is estimated at approximately EUR 750 thousand.
Finally, to develop capabilities in dual-use technologies, the Ministry of Defence, in cooperation with the Research and Innovation Foundation, will soon implement seven (7) more Research and Innovation projects and, in addition, to upgrade and upgrade laboratories of research centres, academic institutions and SMEs, will draw funding (EUR 3 million) from the recovery fund.
In addition to the promotion of Research and Innovation programmes, the Ministry's planning includes important actions aimed at promoting and networking the local ecosystem. Already for this year, the Ministry has supported the participation of Cypriot Research, Development and Innovation companies in the defence exhibition DEFEA 2023, as well as in Defence Innovation in Defence events organised by the European Defence Agency.
Undoubtedly, this effort has led to the creation of a very promising Cypriot ecosystem - active in the Defence Sector - which includes about 20 Innovation companies and seven (7) Research Organisations, which gradually leads to the enhancement of the capabilities of the Cypriot ecosystem, so that it can provide solutions in defence capabilities. It also makes our research institutions and enterprises more competitive, creates jobs and brings significant benefits to the productive economy. In this context, we seek to give specific orientation to Research and Innovation activities, further correlating the planning of the GEF for the development of military capabilities with the targeted development of the ecosystem to strengthen our defence.
The success of the Ministry to date would not have been possible without the contribution of our university community and small and medium-sized enterprises. Recognizing the significant progress that has been made recently in the field of research, I would like to congratulate you for your efforts and invite you to continue to work in the same way.
The contribution of the State Ministry of Research and Innovation, the Research and Innovation Foundation and the Directorate General for Development is also important. I would like to express special thanks to the Research and Innovation Foundation for its excellent cooperation and valuable contribution to the implementation of the Joint Programme on Dual-Use Technologies. On the occasion of this successful cooperation, I would also like to stress the importance of coordinating the efforts of government agencies in creating high levels of resilience, productivity and competitiveness.
I would also like to express my thanks to the Federation of Employers and Industrialists and the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry for their valuable assistance and to emphasise that their suggestions and expertise are taken seriously into account in the implementation of our policy. With these few positive thoughts I would like to congratulate again the organisers, thank the distinguished speakers and all the participants of today's workshop and wish them strength and success in their efforts to achieve our common goals.
Thank you.
(MB/EXP)
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