The Memorandum of Understanding was signed on Wednesday by the Minister of the Economy and Innovation, Aušrinė Armonaitė, and the Minister of High Technology Industry of Armenia, Robert Khachatryan. Priority areas for cooperation include information and communication technologies, digital data, life sciences, bioeconomy and new materials.
"Breakthroughs in high value-added areas are an important prerequisite for economic development. Exports of high value-added goods and services already account for around 17% of our total exports, and we expect to double this in the next few years. So we have a lot of valuable experience that we are ready to share with Armenia," said Aušrinė Armonaitė, Minister of the Economy and Innovation.
The document commits the parties to finding partners for joint technology and innovation projects, and to providing organisational support both during the signing of the agreements and the implementation of the projects. They also agreed to exchange technological information, organise joint events, etc.
The projects will be approved and monitored by a Joint Committee consisting of designated representatives of both parties. It is planned to organise meetings of this Committee every two years, alternately in Lithuania and Armenia.
Lithuania and Armenia have jointly participated in the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation funding programme and have implemented several projects in the fields of research infrastructure, health, etc., together with other partners. Prospects for joint participation in the European Horizon programme are also visible.
Today, the Minister Armonaitė will meet with Armenian Minister Khachatryan to discuss in more detail the strengthening of cooperation in the field of digitalisation and high technologies. Lithuania could share its experience in open data policy and data management, information and communication technologies, cyber-security, the development of a start-up ecosystem, financial technologies and space.
