Russia

Russia has been traditionally known as the “old” scientific partner of the European Union. But, as highlighted by the ISTOK.Ru project, many developments have taken place in recent years in Russia and its image as the “old” partner has changed:

- Russian research excellence, especially in the fields of GRID technologies (usage, security), networks (security, architecture), software (architecture, testing, embedded), components and systems (nanoelectronics, photonics), is currently intensely sought after by foreign partners in order to take advantage of potential mutual benefits,

- The Russian government has directed important attention to R&D (for example: Russia announced in spring 2007 a national initiative on the development of nanotechnologies and nanomaterials in the Russian Federation. Over 5 billion euros will be allocated to nanotechnology R&D before 2015.)

- The Ministry of Economic Development and Trade of the Russian Federation transferred 1,45 billion rubles to Rosinfocominvest - the Russian Investment Fund for information and communication technologies. The Fund was organized for developing Russian IT companies, by investing in innovation projects and perspective technologies on a start-up level…

ISTOK.Ru investigations proved that Russian universities and scientific organizations are well known among the technical experts of the large international scientist community. There are a lot of bright examples of the effective collaboration between Russia and European countries (CeBIT 2007 is proof) and ISTOK largely contributed to increasing their number. By their nature, the ICT R&D areas require the implication of the fundamental mathematic sciences that are historically very strong in Russia. This incontestable excellence allowed Russia to develop the ICT niches such as quantum fields, cryptography and others, to get an advance in positioning themselves on the ICT international arena. However, many Russian research centres still hardly suffer from the lack of visibility and connection to the European ICT research pole of excellence.

Scientific and industrial cooperation with Russia in ICT in general is a real opportunity for the European partners needed to extend the potentialities within the research field, to perform ideas, knowledge, know-how capabilities, and to open new technological markets. The US, Japan and South Korea are very active in the collaboration with the Russian pool of ICT excellence; Europe crucially needs to strengthen its positions in strategic partnership with Russia.

ISTOK.Ru analysed the barriers and needs of potential partners, both from Europe and Russia, and concluded that there is a need to adjust activities and tools for the promotion of FP7-ICT international collaboration in Russia. While it is important to maintain the visibility of Russian competences via the Internet competence platform, support shall be now provided to the integration of Russian organisations into European Technology Platforms and Networks of Excellence; organisation of networking and brokerage events; and support to peer-to-peer collaboration. These needs were taken into account during the preparation of the ISTOK-SOYUZ workplan for the targeted countries.