Armenia joins EU's Horizon 2020

Researchers and innovators from Armenia would have full access to Horizon 2020, the research and innovation funding program of the European Union (EU), according to a press release of the European Commission on Thursday.

The agreement associating Armenia to Horizon 2020 was signed Thursday by Carlos Moedas, European Commissioner for Research, Science and Innovation, and Levon Mkrtchyan, Armenian Minister for Education and Science.

"Armenia is now the 16th country associated to Horizon 2020, the world's largest public funding program for research and innovation. This will bring new and different expertise and ideas, and enrich our international research cooperation," said Commissioner Moedas.

This agreement would allow for Armenia's enhanced cooperation with the EU in research and innovation, which are vital for successful and modern economies, said the press release.

Owing to this agreement, Armenia's research institutes, universities and individual researchers would now have access to all opportunities offered by Horizon 2020 in diverse areas, from fundamental science to demonstration projects, on an equal footing with researchers and organizations from EU member states and other countries associated to the program.

Armenian SMEs and businesses would also be able to benefit from increased support to develop new ideas and bring products and services to the market, added the press release.

With a budget of 77 billion euros (86 billion U.S. dollars) for 2014-2020, the EU's Horizon 2020 is the largest multinational program dedicated to research and innovation, according to the press release. Endit