The Minister of Education and Science of Georgia, Mikheil Chkhenkeli, opened the event dedicated to the information day of COST, the European Cooperation Association for Science and Technology.

Mikheil Chkhenkeli addressed the audience and spoke about the importance of international cooperation in the direction of supporting scientific and research institutes in Georgia and as well as their enhancement.

Mikheil Chkhenkeli: "I am glad to have the opportunity to address you at the COST information day event. I firmly believe that the membership of the European scientific family is one of the most important ways that will lead to the realization of Georgia's aspiration to become a member of the European family.

I would like to emphasize that we strive to promote the strengthening and development of human and institutional capacities of academic and scientific-research institutions in Georgia. For many years, Georgia has been involved in the programs and activities of the European Union in order to greatly strengthen its participation in the European research space.

The unanimous positive decision taken by the leadership of the Association for European Cooperation of Science and Technology regarding Georgia's application for full membership of COST demonstrates that the country's scientific field is an integral part of the European research space. It should be noted that scientific cooperation, international networks and establishing personal contacts with experienced scientists are crucial for improving research capabilities.

As you know, encouraging interdisciplinary studies is a research priority of Georgia. Research leads to discoveries, innovations, and breakthroughs. A favourable environment is created for novice and young scientists to realize their full potential and advance their career.

Full membership of the COST Association in the field of science and technology is an extremely important achievement for Georgia, which will enable the Georgian scientific community to participate in the process of shaping the strategic future of the organization. Full membership of the Association for European Cooperation in Science and Technology is aimed at facilitating the scientific community to take full advantage of all the opportunities that COST membership provides."

The purpose of the event dedicated to the COST Information Day - "Georgia's full membership in the COST Association - new opportunities for Georgian researchers" was to introduce the activities of the COST Association to the scientists and researchers working in Georgia, which supports various scientific researches in Europe and beyond and mutual cooperation between researchers. It envisages deepening.

Within the framework of the event, representatives of the COST association made presentations about the projects implemented by the organization and introduced the ways of participation in the said projects to the attending public. In addition, the participants of the event had the opportunity to get information about various initiatives offered to Georgia as a full member of the COST Association.

The event dedicated to the COST information day was also attended by the Deputy Minister of Education and Science of Georgia, Nunu Mickevichi, the Deputy Head of the Program Department of the European Union Delegation in Georgia, Katalin German, the Director of the European Association COST, Ronald de Bruyn, and other invited guests.

It should be noted that Georgia and Ukraine became full members of COST, the Association for European Cooperation in Science and Technology, in 2022. As a result, Georgian researchers and innovators will have the opportunity to take full advantage of COST's diverse networking tools, expand and strengthen international scientific connections, and ensure the international success of their research projects.

With the support of the Prime Minister of Georgia, Irakli Gharibashvili, the Government of Georgia actively worked towards Georgia's accession to the COST Association. Already in December 2021, within the framework of a working visit to Brussels, the Minister of Education and Science, Mikheil Chkhenkeli, held a meeting with the director of the European association COST, Ronald de Bruyn, and personally discussed the issue of Georgia's full membership in COST.

On February 14, 2022, Mikheil Chkhenkeli submitted an application for Georgia's membership in the association. On March 30-31, a session of the Supreme Leaders' Committee and the General Assembly was held in Paris, where the representatives of COST member states unanimously supported the joining of Georgia and Ukraine to the family of European cooperation, and both countries became full members of COST.

COST Association is one of the oldest European organizations in the field of science and technology, founded in 1971.

The aim of the organization is to facilitate the establishment of connections between European researchers, as well as to increase the awareness of their research activities by holding seminars, workshops, conferences, offering summer scientific schools and implementing joint projects.

With the financial support of the COST association, the scientific community of the full member countries of the organization can participate in scientific conferences, workshops, seminars and trainings. The COST association also sponsors: short-term scientific visits to research institutions and laboratories, dissemination activities and publication of scientific articles. In addition, the Association for European Cooperation in Science and Technology awards conference grants that allow doctoral students and early researchers to attend international scientific and technological conferences.