Head of Unit for bilateral co-operation: Alenka Kocjan

Slovenia has established bilateral scientific and technological co-operation with 70 countries on the basis of 134 bilateral acts, namely agreements on scientific and technological co-operation concluded with individual countries and other bilateral documents on scientific and technological co-operation (40), international agreements on co-operation in science, education and culture (39), international agreements on economic, industrial, technological and scientific co-operation (55), and on the basis of succession.

International scientific and technological co-operation is conducted in accordance with the “Policy and Strategy for the Development of Scientific and Technological Co-operation between the Republic of Slovenia and Other Countries” adopted by the Government of the Republic of Slovenia on 14 July 1994. The former Slovenian ministry of science and technology was appointed responsible for monitoring, co-ordinating and implementing the adopted policy and strategy of scientific, technological and developmental co-operation between the Republic of Slovenia and foreign countries.

In line with the government decisions the priorities in bilateral co-operation include:

• the European Union Member States,
• neighbouring countries, and
• developed overseas countries and regionally important countries.

Bilateral scientific and technological co-operation annually on average encompasses 20 public calls for proposals pursuant to (24) agreements with other states, (3) with ministries, and (5) memorandums with ministries, (4) joint statements and other bilateral documents/protocols of intention, memorandums and contracts of understanding as well as agreements between the Ministry and other scientific and technological institutions (academies, scientific and technological institutions)/. Until 31 December 2004, 678 projects with 29 countries were carried out pursuant to the above documents.