State Aid Control Office and RIF discuss stronger cooperation

Nicosia, Cyprus. The Office of the Commissioner for State Aid Control and the Research and Innovation Foundation (RIF) have discussed strengthening institutional cooperation, including regular communication, knowledge-sharing and early consultation on new support schemes.

Structured cooperation framework

State Aid Control Commissioner Stella Michaelidou and RIF board chairman Demetris Skourides met earlier this week to consider a more structured framework for cooperation between their organisations.

The proposed framework would build on existing cooperation, including assessments, opinions and decisions issued by the commissioner’s office on RIF schemes and programmes.

The two sides stressed the importance of consulting the office before new RIF schemes and programmes are finalised.

According to the commissioner’s office, early consideration of state aid issues could identify potential difficulties sooner, reduce the need for subsequent changes and speed up implementation.

State aid regulation

The meeting also examined greater use of the General Block Exemption Regulation (GBER), particularly in the design of support schemes for small and medium-sized enterprises.

The office said proper application of the regulation could simplify procedures and accelerate the implementation of compatible state aid measures.

Artificial intelligence and training

The discussions also covered the use of artificial intelligence in public administration to increase productivity, process information more quickly and assist public officials in carrying out their duties.

The two sides discussed RIF’s “AI in Government” programme, while emphasising that AI tools should be used safely and responsibly, with confidential and personal data protected and human oversight and final judgement maintained.

Targeted training for RIF officials on state aid and related issues was also discussed.