Cooperation with Eastern Europe (except EU), South Caucasus, Central Asia : , Theme: Worldwide Networking

The cooperation with the countries of Eastern Europe, the South Caucasus and Central Asia is based on traditionally very close relationships.

Statement of the 25th February 2022

“The Russian attack on Ukraine is a grave breach of international law with no justification whatsoever. There must be serious consequences. By its actions, Russia has turned its back on the international community.

For the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) this means that the existing, long-standing cooperation in science and research as well as in vocational education and training is being halted immediately, even though this cooperation is fundamentally in the interests of both sides and contributes to the solution of global challenges such as climate change. All current and planned activities with Russia are being frozen and subjected to critical review. There will be no new activities until further notice. We are coordinating our position in light of the developments with the Federal Foreign Office and the Federal Chancellery on an ongoing basis.

Priority countries for cooperation are the countries of the EU-initiated Eastern Partnership and of Central Asia.

This cooperation covers virtually all fields of research and technology. The established partnership between the EU and the Eastern Partnership countries under the framework of the European Neighbourhood Policy is constantly providing new impetus in cooperation on education and research.

Furthermore, countries in Central Asia are becoming increasingly important partners, for example in the search for joint solutions to global challenges. These countries are also receiving support in restructuring their research systems to meet the demands of the market economy.

Cooperation with public authorities of the Russian Federation and Belarus has been discontinued, in compliance with legal framework conditions, due to the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine.