They will not adapt contracts or agreements with organizations from Russia or Belarus and suspend, as a matter of principle, all those that are in progress
The Ministry of Science and Innovation and the Ministry of Universities have announced the suspension of their relations with Russia and Belarus after the war unleashed in Ukraine. In an agreement signed this Thursday, the heads of both portfolios have also agreed to promote initiatives and projects aimed at strengthening relations with Ukraine and giving support to the country’s scientific and academic community.
Specifically, the Minister of Science and Innovation, Diana Morant, has announced that her Ministry will not sign new contracts or agreements with Russian or Belarusian organizations and will propose to its international partners to suspend all collaborations with these two countries in Large International Research Infrastructures and in Major International Joint Programs. In addition, it suspends, as a matter of principle, all ongoing bilateral projects and contracts involving Russian research organizations.
The situation will be analyzed case by case in order to act within the framework of international legality and avoid adverse effects on the vulnerable population or research group at risk.
At the same time, in support of Ukrainian researchers, the Ministry of Science and Innovation will propose the creation of a line of projects, at the European level, for the recovery of the Ukrainian Science and Innovation system.
“Science is an instrument of peace and progress, which should improve people’s lives. Spain has always defended scientific, technical, and innovation cooperation based on universal principles and values. The aggression ordered by the Government of Russia to Ukraine is unacceptable and violates these principles, ”said the head of Science.
The minister also announced that the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation is willing to contribute to the joint information and identification platform for aid and support programs for Ukrainian researchers called ‘ERA for Ukraine’, on which it is already working with the European Commission, in the image and likeness of the one created for the COVID-19 pandemic.
For his part, the Minister of Universities, Joan Subirats, has announced that the Ministry is suspending the institutional collaboration agreement that was to be signed with Russia shortly. At the same time, it is working with the Council of Universities and the Conference of Rectors of Spanish Universities (CRUE) so that the universities welcome students, professors, and staff from Ukrainian universities and contribute to their reception and integration in our country. It will be within this framework that the universities, in the exercise of their autonomy, may also exercise the suspension of said existing institutional collaborations with Russia and Belarus. It will also be essential to avoid stigmatizing Russian society as a whole, its culture and knowledge creation,
The Ministries of Science and Innovation and Universities are in coordination with the Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security, and Migration to study a temporary reception strategy for people from the scientific and academic community of Ukraine, including a return phase at the end of the conflict, to avoid the decapitalization of these areas in the country.
EC declaration for R&D&I programs with Russia
In addition to participation in the European Research Framework Programme, Russia collaborates with the EU Member States in activities of the European Space Agency (ESA), among others.
