Science Minister Damjanović pays official visit to Croatia

Minister of Science Sanja Damjanović paid an official visit to Croatia on 16 May, where she met with Minister of Education and Science of Croatia Pavo Barišić. Minister Damjanović informed her Croatian counterpart about the Initiative for the establishment of an international scientific institute in Southeast Europe.

The founder of the SESAME project, Professor Herwig Schopper (the former Director-General of CERN), was the main initiator of establishing the International Institute on the territory of Southeast Europe, with the support of the UN, UNESCO and CERN. The Government of Montenegro was the first in the region to officially support this initiative. Bearing in mind that political support of others countries is needed, Minister Damjanović met with her Croatian counterpart.

Croatian Minister of Education and Science Pavo Barišić said he was very interested in the Initiative, which contributes to improving the quality of science and cooperation. Minister Barišić noted that Hadronic Cancer Treatment Option would be the best choice, because it involves multidisciplinary and provides multiple benefits for the people in the region.

Minister Damjanović pointed out that such project would significantly impact on economic development, improving living standards, reducing unemployment and it would represent a certain type of industrialisation of the region based on sustainable technologies. Minister also presented the steps that are necessary in order to implement Initiative, such as organising training programmes for young scientists and researchers who will work on the project. Minister Damjanović noted that EC Commissioner for Science and Innovation Carlos Moedas supported the Initiative at a meeting held last week in Brussels, which is a powerful incentive for the further development of the Initiative.

The ministers also spoke about development of bilateral cooperation and engagement in the development of joint projects, as well as the possibility of joint participation in the EU's Horizon 2020 Programme and other international programmes concerning science and research.

Ambassador of Montenegro in Croatia Boro Vučinić also attended the meeting.

MINISTRY OF SCIENCE