Deputy Prime Minister for EU integration and Minister of Science and Technological Development Bozidar Djelic stated yesterday that funds for scientific projects must be used in line with the law and in a transparent manner, since they are funds of all Serbian citizens.

At the “Scientific Community for the Future of Serbia” conference, organised by the Ministry of Science and Technological Development, Djelic said that whenever these funds and the upcoming investment cycle are discussed, it must be taken into account that these are funds of all Serbian citizens intended for projects and new investment in science.

A huge responsibility is on our shoulders because we must use these funds in a transparent manner, in line with the law, and at the same time make sure that the investment project is pragmatic and cost-effective, the Deputy Prime Minister reiterated.

Djelic also signed an Act on the Selection, Assessment and Financing of Programmes for the 2011–2015 Research Cycle, envisaging the beginning of a new stage for science in Serbia and its clear orientation towards a knowledge-based economy.

Serbian President Boris Tadic, who opened the conference, stressed that investment in science and education is an investment into economic development and our future, announcing that the government will invest €400 million in this sector over the next five years.

Tadic stressed that according to the assessment of international institutions, Serbia is “a scientific star in rising” and that it can make up for the time when it did not invest in scientific development.

A Serbia that does not lag behind, but is at the forefront of scientific and technological development in certain areas is a Serbia from which its citizens, the region and Europe will benefit, the President said.

He noted that Serbia does not lack human resources and by investing in them it can overcome its limited energy and natural resources.

We have a huge capacity when it comes to scientists, but in order to expect more from them, we must invest in science to improve research conditions and cooperation with international institutions, Tadic stressed.

The President underlined that science and politics are not separate, that politics must keep up with science, as well as that science must be up to date regarding sociological processes in order to create a stable and developed society.

Human life will increasingly rely on science in the future. Serbia may be a small country, but it must treat investment in science as its imperative, the President concluded.

Head of the European Union delegation to Serbia Vincent Degert said that research and innovation will be of paramount importance to overcome challenges that lie ahead of Europe.

The future of the EU and Serbia must be based on knowledge, Degert said noting that it is therefore crucial to improve competitiveness and the living standard of citizens, which requires investment in science.

Over 3,500 scientists, researches, representatives from the economy, state officials and foreign partners are taking part in the conference in the Sava Centre, debating national priorities defined by the Strategy for Scientific and Technological Development.

Topics for debate were biomedicine, agriculture and food, information and telecommunication technologies, environmental protection and climate changes, energy and energy efficiency, new material and nano-sciences and affirmation of national identity.

Also attending the gathering are Minister of Environmental Protection and Spatial Planning Oliver Dulic, Minister of Health Tomica Milosavljevic, Minister of Energy and mining Petar Skundric, Minister of Culture Nebojsa Bradic, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management Sasa Dragin and many prominent Serbian scientists and businesspeople.