

Macedonia will take part in the EU Framework Program for Research and Innovation "Horizon 2020", having EUR 23 million at disposal for research and innovation in the science field, local media reports from Brussels. Minister of Education and Science Abdilaqim Ademi and Directorate-General for Research and Innovation head Robert-Jan Smits signed today the agreement over Macedonia's involvement in the project. "This agreement represents an indicator of the serious partnership in the large European scientific family. Macedonia was a successful partner in the previous seven-year framework programme with more than 100 funded projects. Macedonia's research community has shown it is an excellent partner in significant collaborative projects, especially in the field of ICT, energy, agriculture and food safety", said Minister Ademi. According to him, the Government has worked intensively on creating the adequate conditions for research and innovation by adopting all related documents, laws and strategies, as well as the National Programme for Higher Education and Scientific-Research Activities (2014-2017). "One of the Government's largest projects worth EUR 60 million is intended for equipping of 189 laboratories. The Government has developed a strong research environment where mutual cooperation of the public and private sectors transfers innovations from research labs to the plants and the market. This agreement serves as continuation of the joint forces at a European level, supporting excellence in research", stressed Ademi. He said the document provided the financial framework for applications of individuals, as well as universities, professors and scientists, but also companies active in the field of research and innovation. "The financial construction is EUR 22,7 million by 2020. Macedonia is set to provide ten percent of the amount for 2014. The country's share will rise by the year, reaching sixty percent by 2020", Ademi said. Horizon 2020 is the biggest EU Research and Innovation programme ever with nearly EUR 80 billion of funding available over 7 years (2014 to 2020)  in addition to the private investment that this money will attract. It promises more breakthroughs, discoveries and world-firsts by taking great ideas from the lab to the market.