Switzerland to back up Montenegro's science through providing financial support

Bern, Switzerland (3 December 2014) – Switzerland is an outstanding hub for education and science, and intensified cooperation between institutions of the two countries in this area would be beneficial to Montenegro, Minister of Science Sanja Vlahović highlighted at the meeting with Head of the Swiss Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research Johan N. Schneider-Ammann.

Minister Vlahović informed Mr Ammann about the efforts Montenegro has been investing in science development and also the guidelines for meeting objectives in the fields of science and education. She also mentioned the successful visit she paid to the CERN on Tuesday and the steps towards establishing cooperation with the prestigious institution.

Head of the Swiss Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research Ammann commended Montenegro’s scientific progress, stressing that the country was the first in the region to become a member of the new EU Horizon 2020 programme. He also underlined that Switzerland will support Montenegro in the coming period, not only through providing particular funds, but also through the exchange of students and cooperation of the scientific stuff on joint projects. In that regard, Mr Ammann suggested that cooperation of the two countries should be carried out through the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation.

The officials also discussed the SCOPES programme, which includes Switzerland’s scientific cooperation with East European countries. The programme is aimed at strengthening scientific teams through improving working conditions and empowering institutions for higher education and science in East Europe.