CERN community marks Serbia’s accession as its 23rd Member State

The Serbian flag was raised in the presence of the President of the CERN Council, Prime Minister of the Republic of Serbia, CERN Director-General, Serbian Minister of Education, Science and Technological Development and the Serbian Ambassador to the UN Office in Geneva. (Image: Maximilien Brice/CERN)

(PRESS RELEASE) MEYRIN, 24-Apr-2019 — /EuropaWire/ — As CERN’s 23rd Member State, The Serbian flag was raised ( 23rd of April)  at a ceremony on the Esplanade des Particules. The ceremony was attended by Ana Brnabić, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Serbia, Ursula Bassler, the President of the CERN Council, and Fabiola Gianotti, the CERN Director-General, together with representatives of CERN’s Member and Associate Member States and the CERN community.

Ana Brnabić, Prime Minister of the Republic of Serbia commented: “The 23rd of April is a great day for Serbia and its science, as the flag of the Republic of Serbia is officially hoisted in front of CERN in Geneva, marking Serbia’s accession as its 23rd full Member. This will allow our researchers to work in higher capacity and on a global level with their colleagues from CERN, while enabling our economy to participate in CERN projects on a larger scale. Membership in CERN presents Serbia in the best light, as a modern, competitive country whose economic development increasingly relies on science and innovation, driven by our young scientists and innovators.”

Ursula Bassler, President of the CERN Council commented: “This is the moment when the commitment of a new Member State becomes visible: the commitment to support fundamental science, to foster peaceful collaboration and to engage in multilateral initiatives for the benefit of all. We are pleased to raise the Serbian flag among those of our Member States.”

Fabiola Gianotti, CERN Director-General commented: “It is a great pleasure to welcome Serbia to the CERN family. This day recognises the long history of fruitful scientific cooperation between Serbia and CERN, and Serbia’s commitment to fundamental research. We look forward to strengthening our collaboration in particle physics, innovation, and training and education of the young generations, with Serbia as a Member State.”

SOURCE: CERN