The Romanian Academy and the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities are developing their multidisciplinary cooperation based on a Memorandum of Understanding signed on August 3, in the attendance of interim Foreign Affairs Minister Oana Toiu and Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Bucharest Angela Ganninger.

According to a Foreign Affairs Ministry (MAE) release, the cooperation agreement reached by the two institutions goes beyond simple administrative collaboration, positioning the two academies as major drivers of intercultural dialogue and the strengthening of scientific cooperation, in the broader context of assuming responsibility for promoting a European culture of cooperation, dialogue and mutual understanding.

At the event which was held at the headquarters of the Romanian Academy, Minister Toiu highlighted the opportunity created by this type of cooperation document for a balanced and nuanced foundation of public policies, based on data resulting from the high-level scientific research guaranteed by the prestige of the two institutions.

According to Romanian Academy President Marius Andruh, the memorandum aims to develop multidisciplinary cooperation with the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and, more broadly, with the German academic and scientific community.

In his turn, President of the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities Christoph Markschies underscored the relevance of the agreement for developing cooperation with partners in Romania, aimed at strengthening the role of the two institutions as benchmarks of trust in assessments provided by the scientific community, as well as increasing their capacity to provide expert advice to political and administrative decision-making bodies.

“Capitalizing on the close cooperation between the two academies, which have traditionally highlighted the prestigious legacy of Dimitrie Cantemir’s presence as a member of the Berlin Academy (1714), at the invitation of its founder, G.W. Leibniz, the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the two academies provides the necessary framework for expanding cooperation and developing an important platform for cultural-academic cooperation and diplomacy,” the release mentioned.

Through the concrete instruments made available for bilateral cooperation, the memorandum gives special importance to developing joint formats for public engagement and increasing the impact of scientific communication, opening new opportunities for Romanian researchers, the MAE release pointed out.