Minister Damjanović met with European Commissioner for Research, Science and Innovation in Brussels: full support to Montenegro in terms of opening new possibilities for Montenegrin researchers

VIDEO - Ministry of Science Sanja Damjanovic and Commissioner for Research, Science and Innovation Carlos Moedas - scenes

VIDEO - Ministry of Science Sanja Damjanovic - statement

VIDEO - Commissioner for Research, Science and Innovation Carlos Moedas - statement

The Minister of Science Dr Sanja Damjanović is staying in Brussels, where she met with Carlos Moedas, European Commissioner for Research, Science and Innovation. The objective of the meeting with the Commissioner was to present progress in the field of science and research in Montenegro as well as to establish new instruments and initiatives that would strengthen the Montenegrin research system and open new opportunities for Montenegrin researchers.

Minister Damjanović introduced the Commissioner to the initiative to establish an international institute for sustainable technologies in the Balkans. On that occasion, she presented a concrete preliminary scientific design of the institute and emphasized that she was aware of the fact that the EU had been seeking a good and serious project that would in a way “revive” the Western Balkans and bring the region closer to the rest of Europe for years. Damjanović emphasized the importance of this initiative, saying that the project was significant not only for Montenegro, but for the entire Balkans, regardless of the where in the region the institute would be located.

Commissioner Moedas gave full support to this initiative, agreeing with the Minister that the EC was looking for such an initiative and that the Balkan region is of particular priority in the coming period. He announced special support for the programme of training of young scientists, which should commence as early as next year. The EC applied a similar model in the case of SESAME Project in Jordan, which was largely financed from the EU funds.

The meeting was also an opportunity to discuss the status of Montenegro in the Framework Programme for Science and Innovation H2020, where Minister Damjanović presented a series of steps taken by Montenegro in order to increase participation, which is one of the priorities. In addition, the Commissioner commended Montenegro’s activities in the field of establishing the Smart Specialization Strategy, a document that is of crucial importance for the future development of science policy in Montenegro, because it should indicate the most immediate priorities, which will follow the development of science.

Minister Damjanović will also talk to Jean-David Malo, Director for Open Innovation and Open Science in Directorate-General for Research and Innovation.