Historic agreement: Georgia joins EU’s Research and Innovation Program

Researchers and innovators from Georgia will now be able to participate in Horizon 2020, the European Union's (EU) framework program for research and innovation under the same conditions as their counterparts from EU member states and other associated countries.

With a budget of €77 billion for 2014-2020, Horizon 2020 is the largest multinational program dedicated to research and innovation. Until now Georgia participated in the program as a third country.

The agreement associating Georgia to Horizon 2020 was signed yesterday on behalf of the European Commission by Carlos Moedas, European Commissioner for Research, Science and Innovation, and Tamar Sanikidze, Georgian Minister for Education and Science.

Association will cover the years 2016-2020 and open up new opportunities to the country's universities, research institutions and enterprises.

I am very pleased to welcome Georgia into Horizon 2020, the world's largest public funding program for research and innovation,” Commissioner Carlos Moedas said.

EU research, science and innovation is open to the world for collaboration and we value working together with our partners to invest in knowledge and innovation for the future. Georgia's association will bring a diversity of expertise and ideas, enriching our international research cooperation.”

Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn also welcomed Georgia’s association into the program and said: "The full association of Georgia into Horizon 2020 will allow its enterprises and research institutions to become even more competitive and resilient.”

He added: "Georgia is an important partner for the EU and a frontrunner of the Eastern Partnership: extending Horizon 2020 to Georgia is a further, concrete sign of our commitment to closer political association and economic integration with the country."

"This Agreement allows for Georgia's enhanced cooperation with the EU in research and innovation, which are vital for successful and modern economies,” the European Commission said in a press release.

It shows the commitment of the Union to develop the scientific and innovation capacity of its associated partners.”

It also represents another step towards reaching the EU goal of opening research and innovation to the world.”

Georgian research institutes, universities and individual researchers will now have access to all opportunities offered by Horizon 2020 that funds diverse scientific areas, from blue sky research to demonstration projects. Georgian small and medium-sized enterprises will also be able to benefit from increased support to develop new ideas and bring products and services to the market.