Prime Minister Natalia Gavrilița and European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education, and Youth, Mariya Gabriel, signed on Wednesday, October 27, in Brussels, the Agreement on the association of Moldova with the Horizon Europe Framework Program.

According to a statement issued by the Government, this association allows Moldova to enjoy similar participation rights to the EU Member States, which will allow it to cooperate and compete as an equal partner in all competitions announced under the Horizon Europe Program. The program provides opportunities for the exchange of European and international best practices, attracting researchers, access to research infrastructure, and solving the challenges facing contemporary society. At the same time, the project aims to create the markets of the future, mobilize private financing and expand their enterprises, proactive and flexible monitoring, oriented towards innovation and based on risk-taking.

Horizon Europe is based on three pillars: Scientific Excellence; Global challenges and European industrial competitiveness, and innovative Europe. The program is to strengthen the European Research Area, by expanding participation and spreading excellence, and reforming and strengthening the European R&D system.

The European Union’s Framework Program for Research and Innovation “Horizon Europe” has an estimated budget of around 100 billion euros.