Integration into the European research area: The Ukrainian case

Abstract

In this paper, based on an analysis of EU regulatory documents and the legislative framework of Ukraine, we consider the results of reforming the scientific, technological and innovative sphere of Ukraine in the main areas specified in the on the European Research Area Roadmap 2015-2020, in particular: participation of Ukraine in the formation of the EU science and technology development strategy and coordination with the corresponding national strategy; implementation of European principles of independent assessment of scientific activity and procedures to ensure its quality; identification of priority areas for the development of innovative sectors of the Ukrainian economy in the ERA within the framework of the Strategy of smart specialization; coordination of state targeted scientific and scientific-technical programs with programs of other EU countries; access to modern EU research and electronic infrastructure; joining a single market for researchers; access to open data and knowledge in the European Digital Single Market; ensuring the transition from the commercialization of research results to their joint implementation and use in joint innovation ecosystems. It has been shown that Ukraine has made some progress towards integration into the ERA, but the opportunities that the European Union and the «Horizon 2020» program provide, of which it is an associated member, are still not sufficiently used. Subsequent steps in this direction require the country to have a strong political will and appropriate financial support for these processes.