Montenegro to join EU "Horizon 2020" science and research programme

Podgorica, Montenegro (29 May 2014) – At today’s session, Montenegro’s Cabinet approved the international agreement on Montenegro’s participation in the EU programme “Horizon 2020 - The Framework Programme for Research and Innovation.”

In the period 2014-2020, Science Minister Sanja Vlahović told the press earlier today, Montenegro’s scientists and researchers will be able to use Horizon 2020 funds amounting to over EUR 77 billion in terms of withdrawing funds for their concrete projects, mobility of the researchers and scientists, and their stay in international institutions, laboratories and research centres.

She added the Government of Montenegro has provided the country’s financial participation in the framework programme which amounts to EUR 9.3 million over a 8-year period, the majority of which will be covered by the IPA funds.

“Consequently, Montenegro's scientists and researchers will have no problem to access the funds. This is great news for Montenegro as well, as the EU development strategy “Europe 2020” defines scientific and technological development as the priority on which economic growth of all its member states should be based on,” Minister Vlahović underlined.

Montenegro will sign the memorandum on accession to the Horizon 2020 programme in Brussels on 1 July.