EFE . Agency
The Association of Spanish Scientists in the United Kingdom (SRUK/CERU) has joined the pressure campaign for this country to join Horizon Europe, the European Union (EU) research and innovation framework program for the period 2021-2027.
Despite the fact that the Brexit agreement signed in December 2020 provided for Britain to continue this important scientific cooperation scheme, this association has not yet been formalized due to friction between London and Brussels in various fields, especially due to Northern Ireland Protocol.
The Spanish scientists explained, in a statement, that they had joined the “Uphold the Science” campaign, which was signed by more than 280 institutions and 4,700 individuals in more than 29 countries around the world.
“The vast majority of the international scientific community supports the inclusion of the United Kingdom and Switzerland in European research programmes. Such participation is beneficial for the two countries concerned and for the entire scientific community, as it facilitates and encourages international participation. Collaboration, increases resources for research, development and innovation and avoids duplication”, says CERU .
The researchers believe that the delay in ratification of the agreements “slows down the implementation of projects”, and they also argue that the UK’s exclusion from Horizon Europe “will make it difficult to form scientific alliances between Spain and Britain’s institutions and universities”.
“These cooperations are necessary to support the mobility of highly qualified personnel between the two countries and are a means of attracting talent and returning it to Spain,” the memo adds.
Britain’s Secretary of State for Science and Research, George Freeman, indicated last March that his government “remains committed” to formalizing the link with Horizon Europe.
“However, the UK cannot wait forever to end our partnership and we are actively developing a bold and ambitious program of alternative measures,” Freeman said.
“Subtly charming bacon junkie. Infuriatingly humble beer trailblazer. Introvert. Evil reader. Hipster-friendly creator.”