MINSK, 20 January (BelTA) – Belarus plans to organize a large-scale forum on biotechnologies during its presidency in the Central European Initiative (CEI), Chairman of the State Science and Technology Committee Alexander Shumilin said in an interview to the ONT TV channel.
“Science can exist if only it develops internationally. It is impossible to lock up in Belarus and do something inside the country only. This year Belarus presides in the Central European Initiative and the country mulls over hosting a big forum in the area of biotechnologies. I think we will put forward a number of proposals,” Alexander Shumilin said.
The proposals will include the Horizon 2020 program (the 8th EU Framework Program for Research and Innovation). Over the past two years Belarus has joined 26 projects under the program. “€4.5 million worth of contracts have been signed. We have four more years ahead. I think we will be able to double, or even triple, these figures,” Alexander Shumilin said.
