Brussels, 29/01/2008 (Agence Europe) - Montenegro has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the European Commission which will allow it full access to the EU's 7th Research Framework Programme (FP7), the Commission announced on 25 January after the signing ceremony. This “associated status” will allow Montenegro to participate in all calls for proposals and send observers to framework programme committees. Montenegro will also be able to compete on an equal footing with the EU member states for research co-operation and support actions. “Full participation in the research framework programme brings Montenegro into the European Research Area and I believe this is important in helping Montenegro prepare itself for membership of the EU,” said Science and Research Commissioner Janez Potoènik, in a press release. This agreement will mean that Montenegrin scientists, universities and companies will be able to create links with their counterparts across Europe and build up their scientific expertise in fields crucial to research, the Commission noted. With this signing, all countries of the Western Balkans, except Bosnia and Herzegovina, are now involved in the European Union research effort. “Montenegro will have new opportunities to work with its regional partners in addressing common challenges,” said Potoènik. FP7 makes provision for special calls for the Western Balkan countries and international cooperation actions to improve dialogue among regional partners. (B.C.)