PROTOCOL
OF THE FIRST SESSION OF THE JOINT BULGARIAN-SLOVAK COMMISSION ON SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL COOPERATION

In accordance with the Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Bulgaria and the Government of the Slovak Republic on scientific and technological collaboration, concluded on 1st of December 2005 in Sofia 

the First Meeting of the Bulgarian-Slovak Joint S&T Commission (hereinafter referred to as the “Joint Commission”) was held in Bratislava on 11th and 12th of December 2006.

The Meeting was co-chaired by Mrs. Marina Borisova, State expert, Department “Scientific Research” at the Ministry of Education and Science, Republic of Bulgaria and Mr. Prof. Mikuláš Šupín, Director General of the Division of Science and Technology, Ministry of Education of the Slovak Republic.

The list of participants from the both sides is indicates in Annex I.

The Agenda of the Joint Commission included the following items:
1.	Exchange of information on Science & Technology 
                    developments.
2.	Discussion on future S&T collaboration.
3.	Adopting Work Programme for Scientific and Technological 
                    Cooperation for the period 2006-2008.
4.	Financial provisions and administrative procedures.
5.	Next call for project proposals.
6.	Setting dates for the next session of the Joint Commission.

The two sides have agreed as follows:
1.	Exchange of information on Science & Technology developments

Both Parties exchanged information on their key strategies and the latest plans of S&T development of their respective countries. The international S&T cooperation of each country has been presented briefly.

2.	Discussion on future S&T collaboration

Both sides emphasized the importance of the international S&T cooperation and the further development of the S&T systems. They both expressed the common wish to encourage and support the establishment of partnership and carrying out cooperation, which will contribute to the deepening of the bilateral relations and participation in the EU RTD Framework Programme (FP7) and the other European programmes. 
Both parties agreed that the mutually agreed projects in the framework of the bilateral cooperation hereafter should be considered as priority fields for S&T cooperation of common interest, and having great potential for join participation in other S&T programmes.

3.	Adoption of the Working Programme for Scientific and Technological Cooperation for the period 2006-2008

The Joint Commission has discussed and approved the Working Programme for 2006-2008, which covers the following major areas:

•	Information Society;
•	Quality of life, Environment;
•	Agriculture, Biotechnology;
•	New materials and technology, contemporary research in the field 
              of energy;
•	Social and Humanity sciences in favor of establishing the global 
              “European Society”. 

The Joint Commission examined 21 project proposals submitted in both countries. Based on the evaluation carried out by Bulgarian and Slovak experts 12 projects were selected to be financed for the next two years. 

Approved joint projects are indicating in Annex II.

4.	Financial Provisions and Administrative Procedures
Financial conditions
Financial conditions on S & T cooperation under the Working Programme for the approved projects cover financial grants for traveling and daily allowances:
The sending country shall cover travel costs including health insurance between the capitals of both countries, or - if more convenient – between the sending and receiving institution.

The receiving country shall cover:
•	the lodging (accommodation, max. 2 000 SKK per night in the Slovak 
    Republic);
•	local transportation costs necessary for carrying out the               programmes and projects;
•	daily expenses - 20 Euro per day in the Republic of Bulgaria and 873 SKK in the Slovak Republic (approx. 24 Euro).

For the selected projects, both parties agreed to provide for up to 14 days of mobility costs for each project from each side.

Administrative conditions

Researchers from both Sides are required to submit to both the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Bulgaria and to the Slovak Research and Development Agency in the Slovak Republic comprehensive yearly report outlining the joint work performed in the project.
Upon termination of each project, a final report on the results achieved, signed by both project leaders, shall be submitted to the Executive Agencies in both countries. The Joint Commission shall assess the reports during the forthcoming session. The major focus of the evaluation depends on the project aims achievement.
Decisions related to the publication of project achievements and the possible registration of intellectual property rights (patterns, utility models, industrial designs, etc.) shall be taken in accordance with the laws and regulations of both countries, on the basis of mutual agreements reached in due time by the participating institutes.

Implementation of the Work Programme
The national Executive Agencies responsible for the implementation of the Work Programme are as follows:

In the Republic of Bulgaria: 
Ministry of Education and Science
Scientific Research Department 
Tel: +359 2 9217 647, 53
Fax: +359 2 981 14 04
e-mail:  b.marina@minedu.government.bg

In the Slovak Republic:
Ministry of Education 
Science and Technology Division
Unit of Bilateral Cooperation and International 
Organizations
Tel.: 00421-2-69 202 212, 
Fax: 00 421-2-69 202 203
e-mail: sona.strakova@minedu.sk
www.minedu.sk
www.veda-technika.sk
and:
        			        The Slovak Research and Development Agency
                                        Mýtna ul. 23
811 06 Bratislava
www.apvv.sk
e-mail: sedivy@apvv.sk

The provisions included in this Work Programme shall come into force upon its signature by both Sides and shall be into force until the signature of the next Protocol. Both Sides are entitled to submit proposals or recommendations for amending or altering the current Work Programme for S & T Cooperation.

5.	 Next call for project proposals
Joint research project proposals will be worked up by scientific institutions of the partner countries and will be submitted after the next call for proposals will be announced. These common proposals will be submitted to the Ministry of Education and Science of Bulgaria and to the Ministry of Education of Slovak republic and will be evaluated by experts from both countries.
The Commission agreed that the next Call for Proposals for the period of 2009-2010 should be announced in the first half of the 2008.
The both Sides will regularly inform each other about scientific and technological events and will mutually facilitate the participation of scientists, researchers and experts of each country in such events.
Both Sides agreed that this Programme should be used in order to promote future scientific cooperation within the research and development opportunities offered by the European Union, NATO, UNESCO and other international bodies.

6.	 Setting the Dates for the Next Session of the Joint Commission

Both Sides agreed to held the next Joint Bulgarian-Slovak Commission on S&T Cooperation in Sofia during second half of the year 2008
The present Protocol was signed in Bratislava on 12th of December 2006 in two copies in English language. The present Protocol shall enter into force from the date of its signature

On behalf of the
Bulgarian delegation

	On behalf of the
Slovak delegation	
Marina Borisova	Mikuláš Šupín	

Annex 1.

Members of the Bulgarian Delegation:

Ms. Marina Borisova, State expert, National Science fund, Ministry of Education and Science; 

Ms Janita Zherkova, Chief expert, National Science Fund, Ministry of Education and Science; 

Prof. Stefan Hadjitodorov, Scientific Secretary, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences; 

Mr. Pavlin Todorov, Counselor of the Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Bratislava

Members of the Slovak Delegation:

Prof. Mikuláš  Šupín, Director General of the Division of Science and 
Technology, Ministry of Education of the Slovak Republic

Ms. Lucia Pawliková, Head of the Unit of Bilateral Cooperation and International Organizations, S&T Division, Ministry of Education of the Slovak Republic

Ms. Soňa Straková, Chief Governmental Counsellor, UBCIO, S&T Division,  Coordinator of the Slovakian-Bulgarian S&T cooperation

Mr. Ján Barančík, Head of the Unit of International Cooperation, Slovak Academy of Sciences

Mr. Ján Šedivý,  Director, Slovak Research and Development Agency