Brussels, 29 April - Georgia joined on Friday the EU's biggest research and innovation programme, Horizon 2020, marking another milestone in the country's integration to EU initiatives and transformation into an innovative and forward-looking economy.
"Through its association to Horizon 2020, the Georgian government is committing to building its research, science and innovation capacity", said EU Commissioner Carlos Moedas, signing the agreement on the EU side. "You are supporting your universities, research institutions and businesses to compete among the best in the world".
Georgian Education Minister Tamar Sanikidze stressed the impact this could have on Georgian citizens: "Research and innovation are the cornerstones of a developing society", she said. "Georgian students will benefit greatly from the opportunity to learn from their European peers".
Participating in the €80 billion worth programme will enable Georgia to attract further private investments and contribute to world-class research and delivering breakthrough innovation to the markets, among others in the fields of science, industrial leadership and societal challenges.
Georgia has also recently joined the GEANT Research and Education European Network. Horizon 2020 is the financial instrument of Europe 2020 Innovation Union initiative, aimed at securing Europe's global competitiveness.
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Full speech of Commissioner Moedas: https://ec.europa.eu/commission/2014-2019/moedas/announcements/association-georgia-horizon-2020_en
European Commission press release: http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-16-1630_en.htm