Deputy Minister of Research, Innovation, and Digital Policy, Nicodemos Damianou, and Japan’s Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology, Toshiko Abe, have signed a Memorandum of Cooperation to strengthen bilateral relations between Cyprus and Japan in the fields of science and technology, both at a transnational and European level. This agreement was formalized during Damianou’s official visit to Kyoto.

According to a press release from the Deputy Ministry, the expansion of Cyprus-Japan relations in the areas of science and technology was the primary focus of Damianou’s visit to Japan.

As part of his bilateral discussions with Minister Abe, the Memorandum of Cooperation aims to enhance collaboration between Cyprus and Japan in science and technology, specifically promoting joint research and innovation (R&I) projects of mutual interest, the mobility of scientists, and the exchange of expertise between the academic and research communities of both countries.

In his remarks, Deputy Minister Damianou congratulated Minister Abe on her recent appointment and emphasized the importance of the Memorandum as a tool for transferring knowledge and expertise from Japan’s well-established ecosystem to Cyprus’ emerging but highly dynamic one.

Damianou also highlighted the opportunities for collaboration under the European Framework Programme Horizon Europe, noting that Japan is already in advanced discussions with the EU to become an associate member of the program.

The Deputy Ministry further noted that Damianou participated in a ministerial roundtable titled Transformative Science, Technology, and Innovation Policy to Strengthen Innovation Ecosystems. The roundtable included ministers and senior officials from countries such as Japan, Canada, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Vietnam, the United Kingdom, Bulgaria, Romania, Estonia, Norway, Finland, Germany, and Lithuania, as well as representatives from the EU.

The Summit was held as part of the 21st Annual Meeting of the STS Forum, which gathers prominent political, business, and academic figures to discuss the advancement of science and technology and their global impact on the economy and society.

In his speech, Damianou noted Cyprus’ improving performance in European and global R&D indicators, positioning the country for the third consecutive year among the top 10 strong innovators in Europe and 27th globally in terms of innovation (Global Innovation Index 2024). He also stressed the importance of creating a favorable environment that fosters innovation, emphasizing the need for access to financial resources, skilled personnel, and incentives to drive investment in R&D.

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During the visit, bilateral meetings were also held with counterparts from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bulgaria, and Canada, where discussions focused on enhancing transnational cooperation in science, technology, and innovation.

In addition, the Cypriot delegation held meetings with senior officials and advisors to Japan's new Prime Minister, Ishiba Shigeru, the Council for Science, Technology, and Innovation, the Japan Science and Technology Agency, and representatives from Osaka University and the RIKEN research institute. These discussions aimed at fostering mutually beneficial collaborations between key actors from the two countries' ecosystems.

The Cypriot delegation also met with the Director of the Japan External Trade Organization to explore ways to strengthen economic and business relations between Cyprus and Japan, particularly in terms of investment opportunities.

Accompanying Damianou on this visit were the Chief Scientist for Research, Innovation, and Technology, Demetris Skourides, the Director General of the Research and Innovation Foundation, Theodoros Loukaidis, and the Cypriot Ambassador to Japan, Yiannis Michaelides, the press release concluded.