STEERING PLATFORM ON RESEARCH FOR WESTERN BALKAN COUNTRIES MEETING ACTIVITIES WHICH HAVE BEEN DONE IN THE PERIOD DECEMBER 2008 – MAY 2009 Libilce, Czech Republic, May 28, 2009 Dr. Viktor Nedović, Assistant Minister Zeljka Dukic, Adviser Government of the Republic of Serbia Ministry of Science and Technological Development

Policy actions From 2009 the Ministry has the new structure with seven departments: (i) Dept. for Basic Research in Natural Sciences and Medicine (ii) Dept. for Basic Research in Social Sciences and Humanities (iii) Dept. for Technological Development (iv) Dept. for Transfer of Technologies and Innovation System (v) Dept. for Human Resources Development (vi) Dept. for International Cooperation and European Integrations (vii) Dept. for Nuclear and Radiation Safety National NCP Network has been reinforced recently with particular attention to Legal and financial issues, SME sector, and People/mobility, Ideas, ICT and Research infrastructure priorities

Legislative initiatives - development of the legal and strategic framework The work on Bill amending and modifying of the Law on S&R, the Law on Innovation, as well as the Law on Serbian Academy of Science and Arts (SANU) is in the stage of finalization. The Law on Ionizing Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety is recently approved by the Parliament and it is in force from May 23, 2009.

Important events Ministerial Conference – Developing a Regional Strategy on Research and Development for the Western Balkans The Ministers from the Western Balkan Countries responsible for science and research, the EU Commissioner for Science and Research, the Czech Republic Presidency of the Council of the European Union, the RCC Secretary General, representatives of other RCC members from South Eastern Europe, regional and international organizations and other stakeholders met in Sarajevo on 24 April, The Ministers agreed to launch of an initiative aiming at the development of a Regional Strategy on Research and Development for the Western Balkans in order to foster regional cooperation within the knowledge triangle. The Strategy should improve national research policies through the exchange of experience and good practice and facilitate integration of the region into the European Research Area.

Important events ICT Information and Brokerage Event The Ministry of Science and Technological Development, Ministry of Telecommunication and Information Society in cooperation with the Serbian Chamber of Commerce have organized ICT Information and Brokerage Event which took place in Belgrade from the 20 to the 21st of May EURAXESS Conference EURAXESS Conference of 2009 was organized in Potsdam, Germany, It was dedicated to an in-depth discussion on the implementation of the Partnership for researchers, the future of the EURAXESS Network and many networking opportunities

INFO DAYS AND MEETINGS SME INFO DAYS - Ministry of Science and Technological Development in cooperation with the Ministry of Economy and Regional Development, Serbian Chamber of Commerce and Regional Chambers of commerce Pancevo, Krusevac, Leskovac, Pozarevac, Sombor, Valjevo held introductory info days for SMEs on January 26th and February 6th, March 30th, April 6th, 7th and 23rd 2009, respectively, for more than 200 representatives of regional SMEs. - Main Serbian FP7 SME event in the scope of 1st European SME week was held on February 27, 2009 in Belgrades Chamber of commerce. More than 140 representatives from SMEs, R&D institutions, researchers and economists were present at the meeting. - In cooperation of the Delegation of EC in Belgrade, Ministries of Science and Technological Development and Economy and Regional Development, and in the organization of the EU office of Erste Bank, in the scope of 1st European SME week, a conference on SME sector in European Programmes – Challenges and Possibilities was held in Belgrade on May 5. More than 50 participants took a part.

INFO DAYS AND MEETINGS INFO DAYS, People-EURAXESS Four info days were recently organized: Kragujevac on May 13th, 2009 (27 participants), in Niš May 14th, 2009 (33 participants), in Belgrade May 15th, 2009 (58 participants), and in Novi Sad on May 18th, 2009 (71 participants). Meeting of the South-Eastern Europe Digitization Initiative – SEEDI, Belgrade, April 2009 ICT NCPs took a part and presented ongoing Ministrys support activities in FP7, particularly connected with ICT priority theme.

Training activities The series of training activities particularly dedicated to young researchers has been organized by the Ministry/Consultative Bureau for international projects: April - 2-day training course in Nis on generic research skills April - 2-day training course in Novi Sad on generic research skills 7-8 May - 2-day training course in Belgrade on generic research skills May - 2-day training course in Belgrade on generic research skills Training activities inside the project Competition for the best technology innovation 2009 of our Ministry were organized by the Faulty of Technical Sciences, University of Novi Sad: Business environment and research market held on Business plan: role and importance held on

Development of international cooperation and actions on integration into ERA New bilateral/international agreements China - Agreement on Scientific and Technical Cooperation was signed on May 7, 2009 in Beijing Currently open calls for bilateral cooperation with: Hungary, Slovenia, Croatia, Germany/DAAD Initiatives in progress: Austria, Baden-Württemberg (Germany), Italy, Czech Republic, USA, Russian Federation, Spain, Portugal, and Montenegro

Development of international cooperation and actions on integration into ERA Memberships CERN: Following a meeting with CERN Director General Rolf-Dieter Heuer that was held on May 8, Deputy Prime Minister for EU Integration and Minister of Science and Technological Development Bozidar Djelic recalled that Serbia applied for membership in CERN last autumn. Djelic and Heuer agreed that negotiations concerning Serbias accession to CERN may start next year. DUBNA: Deputy Prime Minister for EU Integration and Minister of Science and Technological Development Bozidar Djelic met with director of the Dubna Joint Institute for Nuclear Research academician Aleksey Sisakian on May 19, At the meeting they agreed to sign an agreement on cooperation between the Dubna and Vinca nuclear institutes before the years end.

Assessment of the developments and outlook on the next 6 months FP7/ERA - On 29 of June 2009 the EU Research Information Event Towards Integration into the European Research Area will be organized in Belgrade in close cooperation with DG Research, JRC and COST. Research Commissioner Mr. Potocnik and Mr. Schenkel, director general of JRC, with their teams will take a part. - Euroatom negotiation - Reinforcing the cooperation with JRC National - National Public Calls: Public call for legal organizations and registered persons/innovators for innovative project preparation and submission will be published next month. The call Competition for the best technology innovation 2009 will be closed in June National R&D strategy – will be finished in 2009

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