Kosovo allowed to participate in H2020

Kosovo will be allowed to participate in Horizon 2020 following the signing of a reconciliation accord with Serbia.

The unilaterally, self-proclaimed state signed a deal with Belgrade that sees the two countries ‘normalise relations’. The agreement sees Serbia give the country more autonomy although also grants ethnic Serbs police and justice representation in the country. The agreement will also allow both countries to submit applications to join the European Union.

The accord paves the way for Pristina to take part in 22 EU research and development programmes, including Horizon 2020 as well as Galileo and GMES. Kosovo will now be able to take part as an ‘associated country’ of Horizon 2020, a status the same as Norway and Switzerland and an upgrade from ‘third country’.

Kosovo received funding for three projects under FP7 with total financing worth €286,000; it submitted applications for 20 eligible projects. According to the country’s National Research Program, R&D is a ‘marginal undertaking’ with an estimated 0.1% of Kosovo’s GDP dedicated to R&D. However, there are plans to spend €22m on R&D by 2015.