Albania to participate in FP7 on equal footing
Albania has signed a Memorandum of Understanding allowing it to participate in the EU's Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) on an equal footing with all EU Member States. The agreement was signed on 17 December 2007. The new 'Associated status' allows Albania to participate in all calls for proposals as of 1 January 2008. The agreement is regarded as an important step in the EC integration process as it allows scientists, universities and companies to forge links with their counterparts across Europe. The Commission expects that this will enable Albania to build up its scientific expertise, including in the scientific fields crucial to implementing some of the EU's legislation. 'I strongly believe that the countries of the Western Balkans have much to gain from participating in FP7 as part of their membership perspective,' said the EU's Science and Research Commissioner, Janez Potocnik. 'I applaud Albania for the decision which they are taking today to work with us and their regional partners.' The agreement was signed by Mr Potocnik and Genc Pollo, Albania's Education and Science Minister, in Brussels. FP7 has a budget of over €50 billion for the period 2007 to 2013.
Countries
Albania