Europe-Türkiye relations date back to the application of Türkiye to the European Economic Community in 1959. First agreement was signed in Ankara in 1963 and EU-Türkiye relations were built up on the legal basis. Close communication and interactions have continued in following years with several agreements; namely, joined the Custom Union (1996), acceptance of application to EU membership (1999), issuing the accession partnership document (2001), national programme and harmonization package (2003-2008) and finally EU negotiations started (2005).
Starting from FP6 programming period, Türkiye is an associated country to Framework Programmes including H2020, which means that legal entities of Türkiye can participate in H2020 under the same conditions of the entities of EU MSs. Also, Türkiye will participate in Horizon Europe programme starting from 2021.
Türkiye was associated to the FP7 and its entities obtained about €208.9m during the programming period of 2007-13. Compared to the 6th framework programme, this corresponds to 2.5 times increase. For Horizon 2020, Türkiye contributes to the programme with €83.7m (aligned with €23.4m EU grants). By the end of 2015, 197 projects were funded and Türkiye partners received €71,3m (RIO, 2016). Additionally, EU allocated €4454m to Türkiye from 2014 to 2020 under the IPA II financial assistance.
There is a formal collaboration between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Scientific and Technological Research Council of Türkiye and JRC since 2011. In addition, several organisations undertake joint activities with JRC, namely, the Türkiye Atomic Energy Authority, Mediterranean Coastal Foundation, Türkiye State Railways, as well as universities and business enterprises.
The R&I activities in Türkiye are under the responsibility of the central government. The government established 26 regional development agencies at NUTS II level in 2002 and assigned them as responsible agencies to design and implement regional R&I programmes. In the ongoing process, the agencies take initiatives to develop and implement regional innovation strategies including S3 and prioritisation activities. Therefore, 12 agencies/regions have already developed their regional innovation strategies. Moreover, the cooperation with the Smart Specialisation Platform (S3P) of JRC Seville was built up and four regions registered in the Platform.
Starting from FP6 programming period, Türkiye is an associated country to Framework Programmes including H2020, which means that legal entities of Türkiye can participate in H2020 under the same conditions of the entities of EU MSs. Also, Türkiye will participate in Horizon Europe programme starting from 2021.
Türkiye was associated to the FP7 and its entities obtained about €208.9m during the programming period of 2007-13. Compared to the 6th framework programme, this corresponds to 2.5 times increase. For Horizon 2020, Türkiye contributes to the programme with €83.7m (aligned with €23.4m EU grants). By the end of 2015, 197 projects were funded and Türkiye partners received €71,3m (RIO, 2016). Additionally, EU allocated €4454m to Türkiye from 2014 to 2020 under the IPA II financial assistance.
There is a formal collaboration between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Scientific and Technological Research Council of Türkiye and JRC since 2011. In addition, several organisations undertake joint activities with JRC, namely, the Türkiye Atomic Energy Authority, Mediterranean Coastal Foundation, Türkiye State Railways, as well as universities and business enterprises.
The R&I activities in Türkiye are under the responsibility of the central government. The government established 26 regional development agencies at NUTS II level in 2002 and assigned them as responsible agencies to design and implement regional R&I programmes. In the ongoing process, the agencies take initiatives to develop and implement regional innovation strategies including S3 and prioritisation activities. Therefore, 12 agencies/regions have already developed their regional innovation strategies. Moreover, the cooperation with the Smart Specialisation Platform (S3P) of JRC Seville was built up and four regions registered in the Platform.