Joint Declaration of the Agricultural Ministers of Visegrad Group as well as Bulgaria, Croatia, Romania and Slovenia on the Central Eastern European Initiative for Knowledge-based Agriculture, Aquaculture and Forestry in the Bio-economy “BIOEAST”

Having regard to the Warsaw Common Declaration of 26 October 2016 signed by the Visegrad Group’s agriculture ministers of Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia and additionally Bulgaria, Romania and Slovenia for a stronger inclusion of the research potential of the Central and Eastern European (EU13) countries into the implementation of projects within the Horizon 2020 in the field of agriculture, including bio-economy; and considering the Common Conclusions from agricultural ministerial meeting of Visegrad Group on 2 June 2017 at Nadarzyn.

 

We AGREE that due to the global societal challenges, sustainability is only achievable with increased awareness to the macro-regional level, and we should continue to put great emphasis on research, innovation and cross-border cooperation with a view to promoting knowledge-based development.

 

We COMMIT to cooperate and to contribute to the development of the European Research Area in the field of agriculture in context of other primary production and processing sectors of the bio-economy.

 

We SUPPORT the further development of the Central Eastern European Initiative for Knowledge-based Agriculture, Aquaculture and Forestry in the Bio-economy—“BIOEAST”—which provides a common and shared strategic research and innovation framework for working towards sustainable bio-economies of the Central and Eastern European countries and by building a network of research institutions, industry and other key stakeholders including the partnership of countries from the EU13, and ministries that could contribute to the development of the European Research Area in Bio-economy.

 

We AIM to develop a Vision Paper focusing to macro-regional priority areas, and based on it a Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda, for which is essential a joint effort between the Member States and the support of the European Commission.

 

We RECOMMEND to continue and deepen the cooperation beyond the HORIZON 2020 Framework Programme—having regard to EU policies and funds—by preparing a roadmap on how to continue the BIOEAST Initiative and cooperate with the EU Member States and with the European Institutions. The role of agricultural ministers as signatories to this joint declaration and contributors to the BIOEAST Initiative will be established in the frame of the roadmap on the initiative.

 

Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Forestry of the Republic of Bulgaria

 

Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Croatia

 

Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Poland

 

Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food of Slovenia

 

Ministry of Agriculture of the Czech Republic

 

Ministry of Agriculture of Hungary

 

Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Romania

 

Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of the Slovak Republic