BBMRI-ERIC Statement on Ukraine with ERIC Forum

8 March 2022

Dear valued colleagues and friends of BBMRI,

The last several days have been shocking and frightening due to Russia’s aggression towards Ukraine. Unfortunately, all the sorrow, pain and loss of innocent lives does not seem to hinder continued aggression and violence.

We at the BBMRI-ERIC Headquarters are committed to peace and the freedom necessary to perform research, seek education and advance human well-being. BBMRI-ERIC, as a member of the Executive Board of the Forum of European Research Infrastructure Consortia (ERIC Forum ExBo), condemns Russia’s aggression towards Ukraine. The war will have a global impact, with tragic consequences for the Ukrainian population. We hope for a swift and diplomatic resolution of the conflict.

We stand in solidarity with the Ukrainian institutions and researchers, who are key participants in scientific activities. We are strongly committed to ensuring continued support of Ukrainian entities in the landscape of research infrastructures.

The ERIC Forum ExBo and BBMRI-ERIC Headquarters align with the statement by the European Commission: https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/STATEMENT_22_1528

Science has always been a great resource for diplomacy; scientists from around the globe are engaged in fair and friendly cooperation. We must work together with all our resources to meet the important and urgent global challenges ahead. Military de-escalation is indispensable, and global cooperation especially in science is the key for our mutual survival.

The BBMRI-ERIC Headquarters would like to express its respect to Russian scientists around the world who are protesting and speaking out against the invasion of Ukraine.

Our thoughts and sympathies are with all our colleagues and friends affected by the violence.

Sincerely,

Prof. Jens K. Habermann

Director General, BBMRI-ERIC