Framework programs as an instrument of the European Union and the Russian Federation cooperation in the sphere of research and technology cooperation

International cooperation in the sphere of innovations is the overarching aim, which every state, wishing to keep and strengthen its position in the international area, sets. The more mechanisms of international exchange are there, the more possibilities to build close ties on the international level exist. Currently Russia and the European Union cooperate in many spheres, including research and technology exchange. Mechanisms and instruments of cooperation in the sphere of innovations, particularly, information and communication technologies (ICT), are fixed in the core documents, which determine the directions of innovation policy development and international cooperation forms. Framework programs by the EU are one of important and very effective forms of cooperation between Russia and the EU. The official documents (framework programs, innovation development strategies) are investigated in the research, and data and statistics of the EU framework programs national contact points web-sites are used. The official governmental positions in the sphere of research and technology cooperation are analyzed, the role of framework programs as an effective instrument of cooperation is developed. Moreover, the negative factors, which block qualitative development of the EU-RF relations, are reviewed. As a result there are conclusions on the role of framework programs role in the research and technology exchange between the EU and Russia: The most part of Russian participation in framework programs is as a “third country”; framework programs help Russia not only to get economic benefits, but also to exchange the experience with leading European researchers, and so promote the innovation development of Russia itself; framework programs are also the place for negotiations between the EU and the RF on politics, economy and other issues; today Russia is not a framework program associated member, and it does not allow Russia to participate comprehensively and deeply in the program projects; there are many problems in Russia which disrupt the development of relations in the sphere of research and technology exchange with other countries and regions (legislation problems, economic instability, geopolitical changes).

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