Croatia becomes member of world’s largest scientific research centre CERN

ZAGREB, 28 February 2019 –  Croatia has become an associate member of world’s largest scientific research centre CERN.

The official signing ceremony of the membership agreement between the European Organisation for Nuclear Research, known as CERN, and Croatia and CERN took place on Thursday in Zagreb. 

Minister Blažena Divjak said today was an important day for Croatia and the signing signified the start of something big and new for Croatia.  

“Croatia wants, must and should take part in the big discovery ventures, but the data clearly shows that we have to move away from the equilibrium in our system, because by doing so we save those excellence that this system needs to reform”, she said, before adding.

“Croatian participation in CERN as an Associate Member is also a way to retain young and capable people in the country because they can participate in important competitive international projects, working and studying in the Croatian educational and scientific institutions that collaborate with CERN.”

CERN was established in 1954 by the European Council for Nuclear Research. Based in a northwestern suburb of Geneva on the Franco-Swiss border, it operates the largest particle physics laboratory in the world. 

Associate member status makes it possible for Croatia to participate in CERN-funded projects on an equal footing. It will improve the quality of education and research by Croatian scientists and increase the mobility of scientists and specialists.

Membership also will open up business opportunities for Croatian software, construction, electrical engineering and healthcare companies.

Croatia will contribute a total of CHF 1 million annually to finance CERN activities.