Mr. Janez Potocnik, the European Commissioner for Science and Research, visited Sarajevo on 4 and 5 October 2007. During his visit, he met with representatives of the authorities of Bosnia and Herzegovina to discuss the country’s European perspective as well as cooperation between it and the European Union in the field of science and research.
On 4 October 2007, Commissioner Potocnik attended a round table in the Academy of Science and Arts of BiH. In his speech, he stressed the importance of research and the vital role of the scientific community. He said that he had not come to BiH to make promises but to share his experiences as a Commissioner and as a professional who has been deeply involved in the field of economic research. Research is among the top EU priorities and he expressed his willingness to show the direction BiH should take to achieve the necessary strength in academic circles and the required steps to enhance political will, since, he is convinced, this is where the main problem lies.
The fact that BiH currently invests only 0.05% of GDP in research, as opposed to the average 1.9% spent in the European Union (with a target of 3% by 2010) speaks for itself. Improving this is the main objective.
The EU is offering the association of BiH to the 7th Framework Programme (FP7) which would allow for a number of funding possibilities, such as allowing BiH scientists access to EU laboratories; funding to support the reintegration of BiH scientists who have spent more than three years abroad and wish to return; financing BiH researchers to work anywhere in the world, providing that after finishing they return to BiH so that the country can benefit from their knowledge. BiH has not requested access to these funds.
Thirty-six countries are members of the Seventh Framework Programme, which has a budget of 54 Billion Euro to be spent in the next seven years. The members include the twenty-seven EU Member States, which participate with the full yearly fee; associate countries such as Switzerland, Norway and Israel; and pre-accession countries such as Turkey and the countries of the Western Balkans. The Commissioner has offered this last group of countries an 80% rebate of the fee for the first year, a 75% rebate the second year and so on, with a sliding scale of 5% less per year. BiH’s fee could be paid, partially or in full, through IPA funds.
Mr. Bozidar Matic, President of the Academy of Science and Arts of BiH, stressed that the cause of the dire situation faced by scientific research in BiH is the Dayton agreement, because it was never included and, hence, there is no political will to support it. He gave a retrospective of the situation within the academic community before and after the war and his vision of how funds for research and development should be found, distributed and used.
On 5 October 2007, Commissioner Potocnik met with the members of the BiH Presidency, to discuss the possibilities offered by the Seventh Framework.
Finally, he held a press conference in which he stressed the will of the EU to help the Western Balkans countries, including BiH, on their path to accession to the European Union. He reviewed Slovenia’s positive experience in this respect, recognising that the required reforms had been difficult but well worth it. He stressed the need for political consensus in BiH in this respect.
He explained the Seventh Framework Programme and its implications and financial possibilities, and added that the changes that BiH must make are not to please the EU, but for the benefit of BiH and the prospect of peace, stability and a better life for its citizens.
