Latvian scientists have sent an open letter to government officials asking them to re-develop the National Development Plan (NDP). In their letter, the scientists point at the EU’s long term development strategy for 2020, which states that the EU needs to reach a united goal – Europe needs to become a centre for global innovations: therefore, EU member states need to divert 3% of their GDP for science and development.

Latvia is prepared to offer twice as less in its development plan (1.5% of GDP in 2020). Currently, realistic funding of science and development in Latvia is several times lower than the average around the EU. Consequences of this kind of policy are well reflected on Latvia’s economic structure, scientists believe.

«Latvia is far behind the rest of Europe in terms of innovations. In the future, this gap and the following poverty will only grow even more if the NDP and other documents do not provide relevant support of national science and research. That, which the policy creators have written for 2020 in the NDP is even less than Estonia has right now,»- one of the initiators of the letter, Chairman of the Latvian Association of Young Scientists Gatis Krūmiņš says.

The open letter was signed by the most influential Latvian science and scientist representing organizations – Latvian Council of Science, Latvian Academy of Sciences, Latvian Agricultural and Forestry Sciences Academy, Latvian Union of Scientists, Latvian State Institute for Scientific Association, Association of Latvian University, Latvian Rectors’ Council, Latvian Association of University Professors, Latvian Art Academy, Association of Latvian Association of Young Scientists.

Ref: 102.109.109.2771